TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministery of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) unveiled on Thursday that Taiwan is investing in high-temperature plasma and fusion research studies.
Although NSTC Minister Wu Tsung-tsong sees great potential in collaborating overseas to advance and develop fusion power plants, Wu admitted that collaboration remains unlikely due to costly research funds.
During an inquiry at the Executive Yuan Education and Culture Committee earlier that day, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Legislator Jang Chyi-lu asked whether Taiwan could make robust investments in nuclear fusion research. He noted how fusion power has garnered strong interest worldwide due to increased recognition of its potential as a clean energy source.
Jang asked how Taiwan is moving forward in an ambitious effort to achieve net zero by 2050, considering that nuclear fusion is one of the main drivers to help countries pursue zero-carbon footprints.
Minister Wu confirmed Taiwan has been advancing in important areas of controlled fusion research, like magnetic confinement fusion, which helps generate plasma technologies essential for cutting down carbon emissions.
Kuomintang legislator Cheng Li-wun highlighted that the budget size for the MOST net-zero emissions research project this year is valued at NT＄450 million, but government funds set for nuclear fusion merely took up less than a tenth of the total budget.
According to reports, Taiwan appears conservative compared to the investment efforts that other countries have put forth in recent years. Nonetheless, the NSTC has not ruled out the possibility of participating in global future research opportunities.
