Taiwan to close last nuclear plant despite opposition push

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Taiwan will close its last remaining commercial nuclear reactor on May 17, despite opposition efforts to keep the facility online amid concerns about energy security and rising electricity costs, Focus Taiwan reported.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei told lawmakers Wednesday that Unit 2 of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in southern Pingtung County would be shut down as scheduled under law.

He said the plant’s nuclear fuel supply would only last through the end of May and restarting the reactor would require “at least 16 to 18 months” to acquire new fuel rods and meet safety protocols.

Kuo dismissed proposed amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), who argued the reactor is critical to the island’s energy stability.

KMT lawmaker Wang Yu-min warned at a news conference Thursday that decommissioning the reactor of the power plant would increase Taiwan’s reliance on fossil fuels, pushing up electricity prices and exposing the country to greater national security risks.

Wang noted that Taiwan’s natural gas reserves could last “seven to 10 days” in the event of a blockade, referencing military activity by China.

The Maanshan plant began operations in the 1980s and has been a key part of Taiwan’s energy infrastructure.

One of the reactors in the plant was shut down last July, and the last provides less than 3% of Taiwan’s peak electricity.​​​​​​​