Taiwan’s Central Election Commission has approved a referendum to decide whether the Maanshan nuclear power plant,which ceased operations on May 17,2025,should resume functioning if safety is confirmed.The referendum,scheduled for August 23,2025,from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM,was passed by the Legislative Yuan with 58 votes in favor and 49 against,supported by the Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party.
The commission,an independent body overseeing referendums,reviewed two proposals,rejecting one on judicial processes but approving the nuclear energy question:“Do you agree that the third nuclear power plant(Maanshan)will continue to operate after the competent authority agrees to confirm that there are no safety concerns?”The commission stated:“This referendum proposal is about energy policy,and it should fall into the category of‘initiative or referendum on major policies.’”
The Maanshan plant,Taiwan’s last operating nuclear reactor until its recent shutdown,supplied approximately 3%of the region’s electricity.Its decommissioning aligns with a policy,enacted by the Democratic Progressive Party(DPP)in 2016,to phase out nuclear power by 2025,targeting an energy mix of 20%renewables,50%liquefied natural gas,and 30%coal.The policy,formalized through an amendment to the Electricity Act,mandates the closure of Taiwan’s six reactors as their 40-year licenses expire.
On May 14,2025,the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act,allowing operators to apply for a 20-year license extension,potentially enabling plants to operate for up to 60 years.The amendment,supported by 60 votes from the Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party against 51 DPP votes,opens the door for the Maanshan plant’s potential reactivation.
Separately,the National Atomic Research Institute(NARI)launched a four-year research project on small modular reactors(SMRs)with a budget exceeding TWD100 million(USD3.3 million).NARI aims to prepare for SMR commercialization by 2030,providing insights for future energy policies.President William Lai stated:“I remain open to the use of advanced nuclear technologies as long as three conditions are met:nuclear safety,proper management of nuclear waste,and societal consensus.”
The referendum,proposed just three days after Maanshan’s disconnection from the grid,reflects ongoing discussions about Taiwan’s energy future,balancing sustainability goals with reliable power supply needs.
