Taiwan’s government is preparing to overturn its nuclear‑free policy. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant – the final reactor closed in 2022 – could start generating electricity again as early as 2028.

The shift is driven by a sharp rise in power consumption. The government expects electricity demand to increase by about 2.5 % each year, a growth largely linked to the island’s semiconductor factories, data centres and the expanding artificial‑intelligence sector.

Today, Taiwan relies heavily on imported fuels. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in 2023 LNG provided roughly 47 % of the nation’s electricity, coal 35 % and renewables 13 %. The Energy Administration noted that nuclear power had supplied about 4‑5 % of total generation before the 2022 shutdown.

A 2023 referendum saw roughly 4.3 million voters favour reopening Maanshan, while 1.5 million opposed it; however, the Central Election Commission rejected the outcome because voter turnout was too low.

The high cost of LNG has become a new worry. Tsung‑Kuang Yeh, dean of the College of Nuclear Science at National Tsing Hua University, explained that prices spiked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rose again this year due to tensions between the United States and Iran, prompting concerns over fuel‑import expenses.

Supporters argue that bringing back the 4‑5 % nuclear share could stabilise the grid and reduce dependence on volatile gas prices, while critics point to waste and safety issues. The debate highlights how economic and security pressures can push a country to revisit a policy it once abandoned.