Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has officially stated that two of the country’s retired nuclear power plants — Kuosheng and Maanshan — are technically feasible for restart after preliminary engineering evaluations.
This announcement marks one of the most significant shifts in Taiwan’s energy policy since its long-standing phase-out of nuclear power.
🔍 Background: Taiwan’s Original Plan to Phase Out Nuclear Power
The last operating unit ceased operation in 2025, leaving Taiwan dependent on a mix of natural gas, coal, and renewable energy sources.
However, after the shutdown, Taiwan encountered several challenges:
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Increasing electricity demand from semiconductor manufacturing, AI data centers, and high-tech industries
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Rising LNG import costs
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Concerns about grid stability and blackout risks
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Difficulty expanding renewable energy fast enough to meet consumption growth
These structural issues created strong pressure to reconsider nuclear power as part of Taiwan’s energy portfolio.
⚡ What the New Assessment Reveals
The technical evaluations conducted by Taipower and reviewed by MOEA indicate:
✔ Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant
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Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
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Major structures remain intact
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Reoperation feasible after seismic upgrades and safety refurbishments
✔ Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant
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Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) designed by Westinghouse
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Mechanical systems and containment structures in relatively good condition
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Requires detailed inspection of aging components but considered restart-capable
❌ Chinshan NPP: Not eligible for restart
Chinshan, Taiwan’s oldest nuclear plant, is already in an advanced decommissioning phase.
MOEA concluded that the level of dismantling and equipment removal makes restart impossible.
🛠 The Path Ahead: What Taiwan Needs Before Restarting
Although the restart is “feasible,” several steps must be completed before any reactor returns to the grid:
1. Comprehensive seismic evaluations
Taiwan lies in a high-risk seismic zone, requiring rigorous testing of structural stability.
2. Safety system refurbishment
This includes cooling systems, emergency generators, instrument upgrades, and replacement of aging components.
3. Regulatory approval and public communication
MOEA expects Taipower to submit a formal restart plan by March 2026.
4. Possible restart timeline
If all evaluations and upgrades proceed smoothly, Taiwan may see a partial nuclear comeback as early as 2028.
🌏 Why This Matters to the Region: A Shift in Asia’s Nuclear Landscape
Taiwan’s deliberation reflects a wider shift across Asia:
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Japan has restarted reactors and plans new nuclear technologies
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South Korea is expanding SMR and nuclear export strategies
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China is rapidly increasing nuclear capacity
As energy-intensive industries and AI infrastructure grow, Asian nations face similar challenges:
how to secure clean, stable, and affordable electricity.
Taiwan’s reconsideration of nuclear power underscores the reality that a balanced energy mix is becoming more important than strict ideological positions.
🇰🇷 Perspective from South Korea: Lessons and Implications
For South Korea, Taiwan’s case offers several insights:
✔ Energy demand from semiconductors & AI is a shared challenge
Korea’s semiconductor cluster and hyperscale data centers are also driving record-high electricity consumption.
✔ Nuclear life-extension and restart strategies may gain traction
Korea has aging nuclear units that could follow similar evaluation tracks if policymakers seek more capacity without building new sites.
✔ Opportunities for Korean nuclear technology
Refurbishment, component replacement, seismic upgrades, and digital I&C modernization are areas where Korean companies could offer technical solutions to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s shift is therefore not only an energy story, but also a regional industrial and strategic development.
💬 Personal Insight: Nuclear Power Is Becoming a “Practical Tool” Again
From a broader perspective, Taiwan’s move shows that nuclear energy is returning as a realistic and pragmatic option, especially when:
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industrial power demand accelerates,
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carbon-neutrality goals remain strict, and
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renewable expansion faces physical and geographic limits.
Rather than viewing nuclear power as a binary “yes or no” issue, nations are increasingly treating it as one component of a resilient energy portfolio.
Taiwan’s case illustrates how energy policy must stay flexible — aligning with economic needs, technological progress, and global climate commitments.