Taiwan failed to pass August referendum Whether or not the atomic plant should be resumed, if it is considered safe to operate. While more than 4 million votes for “yes” defeated the votes of more than 1.5 million “no” votes, the number of positive votes failed to cross the 25 percent limit, which also required qualified voters, which is essential for the referendum. As a result, the Taiwan remains on the nuclear-free path, since the closure of the nuclear plant under consideration, Mansan nuclear power plantIn southern Taiwan on 17 May, completing one 2016 government pledge Japan’s 2011 Fukushima was created as a result of the disaster.
However, high -tech industries including semiconductor manufacturing, AI data centers and AI infrastructure operators will continue to meet the demand for power. The question is whether Taiwan can provide reliable, clean power to support the development of these industries amidst Chinese geo -political pressure – and – and – and – and – and Nuclearly,
Taiwan’s energy landscape is complex. The nuclear power developed since the 1970s has seen the old reactors retired. Since 2018Taiwan imports 95 percent of its energy And there is increasing dependence on natural gas. But it aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve grid reliability and expand its energy storage options.
“Without energy, there is no industrial development … and atom is an excellent option,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said during A Pre-eminent journey To Taipei on 22 August. He met prominent players in high-technical supply chains, Including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), The world’s largest chip produces advanced chips for foundry smartphones, high-demonstration computing and AI applications.
This was not advocated by Huang for the first time. during Computex taipei In May He said“We need energy from any single source: wind, solar, atom. Taiwan should invest completely in the atom, and it should not be a stigma for energy.”
Nvidia is expanding in Taiwan, partnering together Foxconn And the government creates a 10,000-Blackwell GPU AI training and supercomputes facility in the south, opens a large taipery office, and collaborates with TSMC, with TSMC, which creates AI infrastructure ecosystem.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-T promised to honor the referendum results, focusing on diverse energy sources. He said that Taiwan can consider advanced nuclear options if technology improves, waste is reduced, and public support increases.
In late August, the government approved a draft of law, AI Basic ActAI is designed to create a supportive environment for development and use. The draft AI emphasizes the role of the government in research, applications and promoting infrastructure. Meanwhile, the new reshuffle is under pressure from the industry and comprehensive public to maintain cabinet energy security.
In mid -September, Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Haseen Kung It was emphasized that Taiwan is a global center for chips and technology, which shapes strategies for the next 10 to 20 years.
Kung insisted that both businesses need both Stable power supply and green energy To meet commitments to 100 percent renewable energy from global corporate initiative Re110, He said that the new cabinet will continue to focus on renewable energy, adjusting the rollout speed. The goal is to raise renewal 20 percent of Taiwan’s power supply By the end of 2026 – A challenging goal is important in keeping Taiwan competitive in global supply chains. He estimated that renewable energy would be calculated About 15 percent Power generation by the end of 2025, from top 11.9 percent in 2024,
A wind turbine and its solar power system are seen on 29 April 2025 at the Tipover Exhibit Center in Pingatung in Southern Taiwan.I-HWA Cheng/AFP/Getty Images
For solar, Kung promised to strengthen existing projects, resolve land-utilization conflicts with fish fields in solar-fish initiative, and replaced old solar panels with new ones that produce more energy twice. Offshore wind manufacturing will be accelerated, and a test program for floating wind turbines will resume. Taiwan will actively develop other green energy sources, such as geothermal and hydrogen.
On the atom, Kung confirmed Taiwan’s atomic-free path, but abandoned the possibility of adopting advanced technologies such as small modular reactors. Guidelines for evaluating potential restarts of existing plants will be issued by the end of October. The first step will see Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) operating the assessment of the three stopped nuclear plants Initial results due to next yearMananshan, who started commercial operations in 1984, is considered to be the most likely to pass security self-assessment, which will focus on the ability to maintain aging equipment and upgrade earthquake flexibility.
In a report released on 26 September, Taiwan’s Energy Administration Projects Projects Demand for Electricity Increase 1.7 percent annually From 2025 to 2034. Forecast in expansion of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, investment in AI development, and expected energy savings.
To meet the demand for rising electricity, the government is currently planning to promote natural gas production by excluding large atoms, coal and oil plants. Pure joint 12.2 GGawatt in Gas-Bani capacity is expected till 2034,
Semiconductor industry concerns
But high -tech industries express concern. In early September, Semican in Taiwan, Charles LeeA prominent semiconductor supplier, Managing Director of Topco Group, told IEEE spectrum This manufacturers worry about grid stability because AI and semiconductor growth accelerates. “Highly polluting coal-powered plants are no longer an option, so we will rely more on liquefied natural gas and low-stable renovation. If atomic plants can be resumed, I will personally welcome it,” says Li.
Meanwhile, a memory manufacturing director who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized by his company to talk to the media, IEEE spectrum Taiwan’s economy is still constructed. “We are concerned about the low efficiency of green energy. We have also seen a trend abroad, in which nuclear plant construction is resumed,” they say.
One in Broadcast debate Next to August referendum, Tzu-Hussian Tung, President of Patron Corporation, Voice to restart nuclear power plants. He warned that if Taiwan continues to rely on carbon-water power, local firms may face carbon taxes abroad, which can reduce their global competition.
The AI ​​server samples are displayed at the Zen Ding Tech Group Booth on September 10, 2025 during the Ardhweram Taiwan exhibition.I-HWA Cheng/AFP/Getty Images
As the Taiwanese society argued whether nuclear power plants have to be resumed, some Taiwan energy experts, including which are included. Tze-Luen Lin, Deputy Executive Director of Office of Energy and Carbon Reduction of Taiwanese Government And a political science professor at the National University of Taiwan has called for a fresh approach to Taiwan’s energy flexibility amidst ongoing Chinese hazards, for the notion of non-governmental organizations and Thinkthank. Center for Climate and SecurityThat a clean energy infection can strengthen national security.
But Environmental Economics and Policy Study Society The conference in Japan on 21 September, Lynn, said that renewable energy is central for both energy and national security. He insisted, “Energy flexibility can only be strengthened through decentralized, locally citrus renovation, combined with microgrid and energy storage,” and warned that large, centralized power plants are easy targets for attacks.
Comment on Taiwan’s possible nuclear options, Jusen AsukaA professor at Tohoku University and the chairman of the session at the conference warned that SMRs remain immature and expensive, and heavy investing in them can slow down renewable energy development. Development.
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