TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) declared Wednesday (Aug. 20) that Taiwan Power Company (台電) would conduct comprehensive safety inspections before restarting the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (馬鞍山核能發電廠) if Saturday's referendum mandates its reopening. The minister addressed Taiwan's parliament during an Economics Committee (經濟委員會) session at the Legislative Yuan (立法院). His announcement comes as Taiwan prepares for a critical referendum that could reshape the island's energy landscape.
The referendum on restarting the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant will take place Saturday (Aug. 23). Minister Kuo stressed that the Ministry of Economic Affairs would follow strict legal protocols if policy requires the plant's reopening, with Taiwan Power Company subsequently developing a detailed restart blueprint. The proposed plan would face rigorous international peer review and extensive examination by the Nuclear Safety Commission (核安會), Taiwan's nuclear regulatory authority.
Minister Kuo responded to Kuomintang (國民黨) opposition party legislator Cheng Cheng-chien (鄭正鈐) by asserting that nuclear safety decisions should not be subject to referendum outcomes. The minister reinforced President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) established framework of "two musts" and "three principles" that will direct the ministry's nuclear energy policy approach. These guidelines represent Taiwan's official stance on nuclear power development and safety protocols.
The "two musts" require the Nuclear Safety Commission to establish legal safety review procedures and Taiwan Power Company to conduct independent safety assessments for potential reopening conditions. The "three principles" emphasize nuclear safety assurance, nuclear waste problem resolution, and achieving broader social consensus on energy policy. Saturday's referendum could fundamentally reshape Taiwan's energy trajectory as the island pursues decarbonization goals while addressing seismic safety concerns in this earthquake-prone region. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.275)
