TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces a looming intergenerational dilemma as nuclear waste management challenges persist, warned the chairman of Taiwan Power Company (Taipower, 台灣電力公司) on Wednesday (April 2). The statement coincides with a significant legislative development, as the Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee (立法院教育及文化委員會) reviewed amendments that could extend nuclear power plant operational licenses from 40 to 60 years. Both opposition parties — the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) — voted to advance the proposal toward further negotiation.
Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng (曾文生) offered a measured assessment of recent progress at Taiwan's nuclear facilities, noting that while the contentious dry storage issue at the Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant (核二廠) has been resolved, significant technical hurdles remain. He emphasized the necessity of removing fuel rods before conducting operational and safety evaluations. Tseng articulated a three-pillar approach to nuclear energy governance: stringent safety protocols, comprehensive nuclear waste management, and robust public support. These principles guide the regulatory framework overseen by the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC, 核能安全委員會), Taiwan's nuclear regulatory body, with Taipower serving as the implementing agency.
Before any license extension could move forward, Tseng emphasized the necessity of rigorous preparatory measures. According to his statements, Taipower would need to conduct a comprehensive safety analysis and engage international peers for a thorough review prior to submitting any complete license extension report to the NSC. With a tone of caution, Tseng acknowledged the persistent and troubling challenges in managing both high- and low-level radioactive waste. These unresolved issues, he indicated, raise profound questions of generational justice—potentially burdening future Taiwanese citizens with the consequences of today's energy decisions.
Taiwan's geographic vulnerability to earthquakes adds another layer of complexity to its nuclear energy deliberations. Tseng underscored the critical importance of public awareness and engagement in determining acceptable risk thresholds for the island nation's energy portfolio. He stressed that public understanding is crucial in deciding whether energy usage remains within acceptable safety parameters. Pivoting to address concerns about Taiwan's growing power demands, particularly from its vital semiconductor industry and expanding AI sector, Tseng offered reassurance. He indicated that the government has thoroughly incorporated projections for semiconductor and AI-related electricity consumption into its planning, predicting no power supply disruptions for the remainder of 2025.
