French newspaper Libération recently reported on the decommissioning of Taiwan’s Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP3), highlighting that Taiwan has become the third country in the world—and the first in Asia—to make the decision to fully exit civil nuclear energy. The report also quoted Dr. Tsaiying Lu, Director of the Energy Security and Climate Resilience Research Program at DSET.
The report noted that Taiwan’s move toward a “nuclear-free homeland” marks its formal withdrawal from the civilian nuclear energy sector. This policy has sparked concerns about potential impacts on Taiwan’s economy, especially given that the technology industry, a key economic pillar, continues to experience rising electricity demand.
As operating licenses for Taiwan’s nuclear plants expire after 40 years of service, closures have followed in recent years. In response to questions about possible power shortages, Taipower—the state-owned electricity utility—expressed disagreement with such scenarios, according to the report.
In her interview with Libération, Dr. Lu commented: “While shutting down nuclear power plants, the government is simultaneously advancing a transition toward renewable energy. This policy supports the sustainable development of technology companies and strengthens Taiwan’s energy resilience.”
Dr. Lu pointed out that in 2024, Taiwan’s energy mix remains heavily reliant on liquefied natural gas (47.2%) and coal (31.1%), with renewable energy accounting for 11.9%. Despite the delayed development of renewables, she believes Taiwan can still achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 while meeting the growing electricity needs of the tech sector.
The report also mentioned that Taiwan’s opposition party has recently led a legislative amendment allowing nuclear power plants to extend their operating licenses by up to 20 years, following safety evaluations—preserving the possibility of restarting the Maanshan facility in the future. However, even if policies were to change after decommissioning, restarting nuclear plants would still take an additional three to five years. “Whether in terms of cost or time, it would be extremely difficult for Taiwan to restart its nuclear plants,” Dr. Lu concluded.
As nuclear power gradually exits the stage, Taiwan stands at a key turning point in its energy policy. With rising electricity demand, increasing geopolitical risks, and growing decarbonization requirements, how the country balances energy security, stability, and sustainability remains a topic for continued dialogue and societal debate.
