TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Any extension of operations at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (核三廠) must begin with a formal application from Taiwan Power Company (台電), the state utility, followed by a comprehensive safety assessment, the chairperson of the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC, 核能安全委員會) announced Thursday (April 24). The regulatory clarification comes as Taiwan approaches a pivotal moment in its energy policy.
The regulatory statement arrives during intensifying debates over Taiwan's nuclear energy future as the island nation prepares for a major power generation shift. The scheduled decommissioning of Maanshan's No. 2 reactor on May 17 will mark a historic milestone, completing Taiwan's long-planned transition away from nuclear power generation.
Challenging this trajectory, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), a centrist political party, recently submitted a referendum proposal to the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, advocating for the nuclear plant's continued operation. Their proposal emphasizes worries about Taiwan's complete exit from nuclear power generation while alternative energy infrastructure development reportedly lags behind schedule.
The Legislative Yuan's "Education and Culture Committee" (立法院教育及文化委員會), a parliamentary committee, summoned NSC Chairperson Chen Min-jen (陳明真) to present on nuclear safety protocols and field lawmakers' questions. During his testimony, Chen stressed that extending Maanshan's operational lifespan would require comprehensive assessments of nuclear waste management capabilities. A public referendum alone, he noted, would be insufficient to restart the facility. Chen clarified that the regulatory body issues 40-year operational permits, with any extension requiring rigorous safety evaluations. ★
