President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) stated in an interview on Sunday that the government is shifting to an open stance on restarting nuclear power to help Taiwan better tackle economic growth, AI demands, climate change, and geopolitical shifts.

Lai remarked that Taiwan has entered a new situation, marked by significant economic growth, driving higher-than-expected electricity demand for AI computing centers; the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) requiring low- or zero-carbon products for entry; and geopolitical changes necessitating sufficient, low-carbon power infrastructure with energy resilience. 

He noted that Taiwan achieved its “nuclear-free homeland” goal after Unit 2 of its third nuclear power plant, Maanshan, shut down on May 17, 2025. The Legislature passed its Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, prompting Taipower and the Economic Ministry to apply to restart Units at the Kuosheng and Maanshan plants. Success depends on the Nuclear Safety Commission’s review, which takes into account nuclear safety, waste solutions, and social consensus. 

The president affirmed continued support for green energy like wind, solar, small hydro, and hydrogen power, which can advance alongside nuclear review without conflict. Green energy has replaced output from all three nuclear plants since President Tsai Ing-wen’s (    蔡英文) 2016 inauguration, maintaining stable reserves above 10%. 

Lai said the government will openly monitor advanced nuclear options, like nuclear fusion or small modular reactors (SMR), to boost energy resilience, the economy, and society. Addressing party doubts on shifting from a “nuclear-free homeland” stance, he reiterated that this goal was already met post-shutdown.