Taiwan switches off the last nuclear reactor: renewable energies in focus!

Taiwan switches off the last nuclear reactor: renewable energies in focus!

Pingtung, Taiwan - Taiwan has taken a historical step in its energy policy by initiating the shutdown of its last active nuclear reactor. The reactor number 2 in the Maanshan nuclear power plant, which had an output of 951 megawatts, is switched off by local time by midnight at the latest. This decision, which is implemented today, on May 17, 2025, is supported by the reactor's already expired operating license, as vienna.at

The gradual nuclear phase -out is part of the energy plan of the Democratic Progress Party (DPP), which has been pursued since 2016, and was significantly influenced by the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in Japanese in 2011. Maanshan's first reactor was closed in July 2024, while the decommissioning of older nuclear power plants began in 2018 and 2021. At peak times, the nuclear power delivered about 50 percent of the electricity in Taiwan, but this proportion fell to only about three percent in 2024.

power supply and renewable energies

To continue to ensure the power supply in the future, Prime Minister Cho Jung-Tai announced that the state energy supplier Taiwan Power (Taipower) will put four new gas power plants into operation this year. These power plants are intended to help increase the proportion of renewable energies to the electricity mix to 20 percent by 2026. In 2024, 82.1 percent of the electricity from fossil sources and 11.9 percent from renewable energies were obtained, which shows that a rethink in energy policy is necessary.

The new power plants are installed in various cities, including the Datan power plant in Taoyuan, the HSinta power plant in Kaohsiung and another power plant in Taichung. These systems have a combined capacity that exceeds the 950,000 kW of the reactor No. 2. The new electricity generation should expect a reserve capacity of 10 percent during the day and 7 percent at night and thus ensure the stability of the supply by 2032, as well as Taiwahnews.com.tw

criticism and challenges

Despite these measures, there are concerns about Taiwan's ability to meet its energy requirements without nuclear power. Critics question whether the planned new gas power plants and the increase in renewable energies will be sufficient. Experts are calling for a diversified energy supply, especially in view of the geopolitical tensions with China, which Taiwan sees as part of his state area.

In parliament, changes in the law were also proposed that would theoretically allow a term extension of reactors by up to 20 years, provided that security is guaranteed. Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-Huei said that such an extension also requires new fuel rods and extensive security tests to enable the restart. Taipower has also emphasized that the storage of burned fuels must be very careful, which further complicates the planning of future energy projects.