Taiwan

TAIWAN

ANALYSIS / ISSUES

Taiwan is planning a shift away from nuclear power to coal. The country wants to increase the share of coal in energy production from 32% last year to 50% by 2025. Conversely, it wants to reduce nuclear power's share from 21% last year to 5% by 2025. Nuclear production may actually fall to zero if the government blocks Taiwan's fourth nuclear power plant from opening next year. The primary reason for public opposition to nuclear power is the risk of a nuclear catastrophe on the island. Taiwan is struck by 200 earthquakes a year on average and there are fears that an earthquake at the wrong place could lead to unmitigated disaster.

Taiwan's nuclear power has been politicized for a number of years now. It was a campaign issue in the 2000 elections which brought the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which was opposed to nuclear power on the grounds that it was unsafe, to power. When in power, the DPP cast aside the fourth plant under construction without consulting with parliament as required by law. The government changed course back toward nuclear power this February but then underwent another U-turn after a conference in June - the Minister of Economic Affairs said the government may not allow the project to continue because safety issues continue to be a concern.

Operating Nuclear Power Reactors in Taiwan