The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te (賴清德) says there may be a possibility of bringing back nuclear power in case of an energy emergency. 

The DPP presidential hopeful and serving vice president said Taiwan has reserved its retired nuclear reactors for contingency use while attending a Q&A session with National Taiwan University students on Sunday. 

Lai’s campaign spokesperson Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) says the vice president’s comment on Taiwan’s nuclear energy is based on extreme external circumstances, such as wartime embargos of the island. Chen adds that Lai does not support reopening the first and second nuclear power plants. 

Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua (王美花) echoes Lai’s comment, saying that during emergencies, her ministry would activate a contingency plan and communicate with the legislature over how to secure energy supply. 

Wang says the subject is up for further discussion and the ministry will approach it from both legal and social perspectives.