Nuclear power impedes the shift to renewable energy sources

In the heart of Pingtung County, the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, once a significant source of electricity, has been decommissioned as part of Taiwan's nuclear phase-out policy. However, a referendum scheduled for August 23, 2025, may change this.

The Ma-anshan plant, which accounted for 10.5% of Israel's electricity consumption and 9.6% in Taiwan, was a key contributor to the country's energy mix, with solar power contributing 9.4% and 9.6%, respectively.

The referendum, proposed by legislators from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), aims to decide on the plant's recommissioning based on safety assessments. However, this decision is not without controversy.

Professor Shih Hsin-min, a chemical engineering expert at National Taiwan University, advocates against the recommissioning of the Ma-anshan plant. He argues that it would be a harmful course of action, potentially hindering Taiwan's energy transition and the development of local, independent, safe, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.

One of the primary concerns revolves around the risks during war. Given regional tensions, notably with China, nuclear plants can be vulnerable targets. An incident at the Ma-anshan plant could have catastrophic local and cross-border consequences.

Nuclear power plants, even when shut down, still depend on external electricity to cool the reactor core and spent fuel pools. In times of war, these power sources may not be available, increasing the risk of nuclear accidents or sabotage.

Moreover, the world is moving away from nuclear power. Globally, the share of electricity generation from nuclear power has declined, with more reactors being retired than commissioned. Renewables have overtaken nuclear in growth and installed capacity.

Proponents of the Ma-anshan plant argue that it offers stable, low-carbon electricity less dependent on weather than solar and wind. Taiwan imports much of its natural gas and coal, representing geopolitical vulnerability if blockades occur. Nuclear could provide a degree of energy independence and reliability not matched by intermittent renewables.

However, nuclear power generates highly radioactive waste requiring careful, long-term management. Taiwan, like other countries, stores used fuel on-site with no permanent geological disposal solution currently implemented, posing ongoing environmental concerns.

In 2016, the government of Taiwan decided against extending the operational lifespan of nuclear power plants. The last reactor at the Ma-anshan plant has been completely shut down. If the Ma-anshan plant were to be recommissioned, Taiwan would once again be burdened with nuclear waste and the ever-present risk of nuclear disaster.

In conclusion, the decision to recommission the Ma-anshan plant involves balancing the risks of nuclear power amid geopolitical instability against its benefits for stable, low-carbon energy and energy security. The current political climate reflects strong public debate and divergent views, with the 2025 referendum acting as a pivotal decision moment. Taiwan must develop domestically sourced renewable energy, expand energy storage systems, and establish a decentralized power grid to ensure energy security and improve energy resilience.

In the ongoing political debate, proponents of the Ma-anshan plant argue that nuclear power can offer stable, low-carbon electricity, potentially reducing geopolitical vulnerability from reliance on imported natural gas and coal.
As the world shifts away from nuclear power, concerns persist over the management of radioactive waste, as Taiwan currently stores used nuclear fuel without a permanent geological disposal solution, posing ongoing environmental concerns.
The Ma-anshan plant's recommissioning, if approved based on safety assessments, could risk hindering Taiwan's energy transition and the development of local, independent, safe, resilient, and sustainable energy systems, particularly in light of the vulnerability of nuclear plants during war and conflicts.

Nuclear power impedes the shift to renewable energy sources