TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Power Company (Taipower, 台電) submitted its application to reactivate the Third Nuclear Power Plant to the Nuclear Safety Commission (核安會) on Friday (March 27). The state-owned utility emphasized its commitment to following legal procedures to ensure safe operation. The application marks a significant step in Taiwan's evolving energy policy, which has shifted toward reconsidering nuclear power amid growing electricity demands.
Taipower stated that the plant must complete an independent safety inspection and obtain an operating license before commencing power generation, even after the Nuclear Safety Commission approves the reactivation plan. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部) already approved the plan, which Taipower submitted under Article 16-1 of the "Nuclear Reactor Facility Operation License Application Review Regulations" (核子反應器設施運轉執照申請審核辦法). The application includes five major components: current status and schedule, manpower allocation and training, facility reactivation and maintenance, operational regulations, and quality verification and audit plans.
The independent safety inspection is expected to take 18 to 24 months, after which Taipower will submit a report to the Nuclear Safety Commission for review. The commission will determine the review period, and the plant will qualify for operation only after passing the review and receiving an updated operating license. Taipower reiterated its commitment to the principle of "nuclear safety first," pledging to conduct operations meticulously and in accordance with the law. ◼