Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, Taiwan. Photo by Jnlin

By Jo Nova

The energy situation is flipping on a dime around the world

Political entities are waking up to the need for reliable mass power. Consider the whiplash in Taiwan. They closed the last of six nuclear reactors on May 17th, marking the end of a nuclear era that started in 1970. But, hey ho, two weeks later, they’ve decided to hold a referendum on whether to restart the same plant. The vote is set for August 23.

Taiwan Plans Referendum on Nuclear Energy Reversal

By Tsvetana Paraskov, OilPrice

Taiwan will hold in August a referendum on whether the just-shuttered last nuclear reactor should be restarted once safety checks are completed, in a major reversal of the country’s policy amid energy security concerns.

Since 2018, Taiwan has shut down four other nuclear reactors and cancelled construction of two others following a referendum in 2021.

Earlier this month, Taiwan’s Parliament amended the country’s nuclear power act to allow plant operators to apply for a 20-year license renewal beyond the existing 40-year limit. This legislative amendment effectively opens the door to […]