Taiwan premier signals conditional return to nuclear power amid energy security concerns

Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan opened a new session on Monday (Feb. 24), with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) using his policy address to signal a possible shift in the government’s stance on nuclear energy.

Policy address

In his policy report, Cho stated that following amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, state-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) will, in accordance with legal procedures, submit plans to restart Nuclear Power Plant 2 and 3 and begin self-implemented safety inspections.

Taipower has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the original designer of Nuclear Power Plant 3 to provide future safety inspections and related technical services.

The report also said Taiwan may consider adopting new nuclear technologies in the future, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and nuclear fusion.

Cho’s report said any move would be conditional on three requirements: ensured nuclear safety, a solution for nuclear waste, and social consensus. Under those premises, it said, the government would keep an “open attitude” and fully engage in discussions on advanced nuclear technologies to reassure industry and the public and ensure a sufficient and stable power supply.

Since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in 2016, it has promoted a “nuclear-free homeland” policy. Following the shutdown of Nuclear Power Plant 3 in 2025, Taiwan’s energy structure no longer includes nuclear power generation.

Earlier remarks and wording dispute

Cho's comments in this policy report were not without precedent. Taiwan’s Public Television Service (PTS) reported that on Feb. 10, Cho attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Advanced Semiconductor R&D Base of the Industrial Technology Research Institute. 

In his remarks, he said: “We must ensure the security of water and electricity supply. We will continue developing diversified green energy, smart energy conservation, and smart energy storage, while strengthening grid resilience. At the same time, we will fully accept advanced new nuclear technologies from around the world.”

However, in the Executive Yuan’s subsequent official press release, the wording was changed from fully “accepting” to fully “engaging with” advanced new nuclear technologies from around the world — consistent with the tone used in Cho's Feb. 24 policy address.

The Executive Yuan press release also said Cho described traditional nuclear power as something the government would approach with “cautious optimism,” and cited his framing that “electricity is computing power, and computing power is national power.”

Opposition party’s response

The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's largest opposition party, stated on its official Facebook account on Feb, 25 that the DPP had finally abandoned its “nuclear-free homeland” stance, and although this “New Year’s gift” came eight years late, it was never too late to turn back from a mistaken path.

The KMT said it had long argued that Taiwan needed stable and low-carbon nuclear energy to support industrial development and attract foreign investment. It added: “We warmly welcome the DPP to formally join the KMT’s pragmatic energy policy path!”

The KMT also urged Cho not to “lose his nerve, reverse course, or retreat” under pressure from what it called extreme anti-nuclear factions within his party. The party said it will closely monitor developments in the Legislative Yuan to ensure this correct energy path is completed.

KMT legislator Ko Ju-chun (葛如鈞) wrote on Facebook that the Executive Yuan should clearly explain whether its position is to “engage with” or to “accept” new nuclear technologies. Ko said the terms carry different meanings, and that “engaging with” does not necessarily imply “accepting.”

Public concerns and referendum background

Concerns about Taiwan’s energy stability have persisted due to the nuclear-free homeland policy.

In its 2025 assessment, AmCham Taiwan stated that Taiwan faces structural baseload power challenges as nuclear energy is phased out and coal generation declines. Delays in gas-fired projects and bundled bidding have raised concerns about future supply reliability, particularly for critical industries such as semiconductors and AI.

In August 2025, Taiwan held a nationwide referendum on whether to extend the operation of Nuclear Power Plant 3. 

A 2025 survey released by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation found that approximately 66.4% of respondents supported extending the plant’s operation.

However, the referendum proposal failed to pass because it did not meet the legal threshold requiring approval from at least one-quarter of all eligible voters, even though votes in favor outnumbered votes against.