Referendum Focuses on Nuclear Energy Policy, Public Vote Set for Late November
On August 14, the Legislative Yuan voted to approve a nuclear power referendum, with the main text calling for the government to use nuclear energy to revitalize the economy and abolish the current 'nuclear-free homeland' energy policy. The referendum will be put to a public vote on November 28, marking a pivotal moment for Taiwan’s energy policy direction. While the referendum results will not directly determine whether nuclear power plants restart, they will significantly impact the government’s future energy planning.
According to amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, nuclear power units with expired operating licenses may legally apply for license renewal, providing a legal basis for extending the operation of nuclear power plants. The Ministry of Economic Affairs recently approved an assessment of the current status of nuclear power plants, clearly stating that the First Nuclear Power Plant is not feasible for restarting due to aging equipment and on-site conditions. However, the Second and Third Nuclear Power Plants preliminarily meet the conditions for restarting operations, and Taipower has initiated the relevant evaluation process.
Third Nuclear Power Plant Prioritized, Second Plant Awaits Dry Storage Facility Completion
Taipower plans to prioritize the restart process for the Third Nuclear Power Plant, while the Second Nuclear Power Plant will need to align with the progress of dry storage facility construction. The Nuclear Safety Commission stated that Taipower’s independent safety inspections are expected to take 1.5 to 2 years, covering equipment aging assessments, seismic capacity testing, and comprehensive safety reviews. Upon completion of the inspections, Taipower must submit a technical report, which will undergo review by the Nuclear Safety Commission to confirm compliance with nuclear safety standards before a license renewal can be applied for.