TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Pegatron Chair Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢) said that nuclear energy is essential for Taiwan, CNA reported.
Tung, also deputy convener of Taiwan's National Climate Change Committee, attended a forum organized by the TPP on Sunday, discussing Taiwan's AI industry and energy policy. He emphasized that Taiwan's growing energy-intensive sectors, such as AI, electric vehicles, and semiconductors, require reliable power sources.
Nuclear power generation is stable, economical, and enhances energy resilience, Tung said. He also noted that wind and solar power require vast amounts of land, urging the government to avoid overinvesting in inefficient renewable energy sources.
Tung predicted that AI, electric vehicles, and semiconductors will be key sectors in the 21st century. He said global electricity consumption totals NT$189 trillion (US$6 trillion) annually and that electricity efficiency is tied to industrial efficiency.
Tung also emphasized that energy costs reflect a nation's economic performance and that energy efficiency is crucial for national progress. “Electricity will be the core power of nations in the 21st century,” Tung said.
According to Taipower, Taiwan's power grid generated 251.44 terawatt-hours of electricity last year. Fossil fuels accounted for 79.7% of that total, renewable energy for 11.9%, and nuclear energy for 4.7%.
Tung suggested in May that Taiwan extend the operation of the Kuosheng and Maanshan nuclear power plants and introduce Finland's Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor. He said this could provide Taiwan with 30% to 32% of its power from nuclear energy and lead to a 30% reduction in average electricity prices.
The global semiconductor market is valued at NT$19.53 trillion, with the foundry sector exceeding NT$5.67 trillion, Tung said. TSMC accounts for more than half of the foundry market share.
With the advancement of computational technologies, Tung said that AI applications will drive industrial transformation and create more development opportunities for Taiwan's industries.
Liquefied natural gas supply and prices are vulnerable to seasonal changes and geopolitical risks, Tung said. He noted that despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine continues to maintain its power supply, with 56% of its electricity generated from nuclear energy.
Tung also emphasized that more than 90% of Taiwan's natural gas supply relies on imports, with limited storage capacity, making it highly vulnerable to geopolitical risks, including the impact of war.
Former US Secretary of Energy and Nobel laureate in physics Steven Chu (朱棣文) spoke about energy issues at National Tsing Hua University in December. He highlighted that fossil fuels contribute to air pollution and global warming and emphasized that nuclear energy offers a cleaner and safer alternative.
