TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT is pushing amendments to reconsider nuclear phase-out policies and meet Taiwan's growing energy needs.
During this week's new legislative session, the KMT prioritized 13 bills, covering issues from nuclear policy to social housing and tax rebates, per CNA. KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) argued the DPP’s “nuclear-free homeland” policy is hurting Taiwan's energy development.
The KMT seeks to revise the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act to extend the use of nuclear power plants. It also wants to amend the Climate Change Response Act and Basic Environment Act to change Taiwan's energy policy from a "nuclear-free homeland" to a “low-carbon homeland."
The KMT cited a poll on Monday showing that 73.6% of Taiwanese support extending nuclear power plants from 40 to 60 years. Only 20.7% of those surveyed opposed it.
Public opinion varied on changing Taiwan's energy policy from a "nuclear-free" to a “low-carbon homeland." Around 58% of respondents were in support, while 25% were in opposition.
The poll was conducted by All Dimensions Public Research Inc., a KMT think tank, via phone on Feb. 10-12, with a 1,069 sample size.
In recent years, Japan and South Korea have reassessed their nuclear phase-out policies. In 2022, Japan voted to extend its nuclear reactors, a major shift after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. South Korea also reversed course, citing nuclear as a reliable energy source for carbon neutrality.
Taiwan's only operational nuclear reactor, Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2, will be decommissioned on May 17. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) reaffirmed it will not be extended, but has indicated the government is open to discussing “new nuclear power.”
According to Chu, the DPP "shut down all nuclear plants and replaced them with green energy. Electricity prices will inevitably rise accordingly, and Taipower is certain to incur severe losses.”
Responding to the KMT, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said it welcomes collaboration with the opposition parties to bring Taiwan closer to its net-zero emissions goals. It also added that Taipower's thermal power plants in Taichung and Keelung should be incorporated into energy plans.
