NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling (翁曉玲) of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) praised the Taiwan Power Company (台電) on Monday (Sept. 9) for maintaining the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四廠) well, showing little change from its state ten years ago.
KMT legislators Weng Hsiao-ling and Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) inspected the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, which started construction in 1999 but was never put into service.
Taiwan's energy issues have garnered significant attention, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government focusing on green energy for the future. However, support for nuclear energy remains robust.
Weng believes that reopening the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant requires extensive expert evaluations and regulatory resolutions, ultimately depending on the ruling party's stance.
After the inspection, Weng stated that their goal was to assess the plant's internal condition. They would consider it a negative asset if it resembled a ruin. Weng noted that only a few lines, equipment, and compatibility issues needed updates or replacements due to time-related wear, but these were not significant problems.
Initially, reports suggested Taiwan Power Company might not allow nuclear experts accompanying the KMT legislators to enter the plant. However, the company permitted it, surprising the legislators.