Opposition lawmakers in Taiwan are proposing changes that could extend the life of the country’s last operating nuclear reactor and potentially reopen shuttered plants. The move faces criticism from environmental advocates concerned about safety and nuclear waste. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party still aims for a nuclear-free homeland but ongoing losses at state-run utility Taipower and high fossil fuel costs are prompting calls to reconsider.
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00:00Taiwan's nuclear power plants may get a new lease on life, as opposition lawmakers debate
00:08extending operations of the country's last working reactor, and perhaps reopening closed
00:13ones.
00:14In order to adapt to the changing international environment and improve our country's energy
00:19security, the law is to suspend the installation of nuclear power plants. Once the nuclear peace
00:24conference confirms its safety, it can apply for a new license.
00:30That last reactor is set to shut down in under two months, as the ruling Democratic Progressive
00:35Party sticks to its pledge for a nuclear-free Taiwan by 2025. Outside the legislature, protesters
00:43say, nuclear power still isn't safe.
00:46It's clear that the three old nuclear power plants are close to being shut down.
00:55If no one wants these nuclear resources, you keep increasing them.
01:01Who will be responsible for the next generation?
01:03The debate comes just days after the National Electric Utility, Taipower, announced it
01:09would not raise prices, despite years of losses totaling more than 12 billion U.S. dollars.
01:15Those are in large part because of a spike in fossil fuel prices. Around 80% of Taiwan's
01:21electricity still comes from imported fossil fuels, as a reduction in coal and nuclear
01:26power has been offset by an increase in natural gas use.
01:31Some say more nuclear power could solve two problems.
01:34One kilowatt hour only needs 1.1 new Taiwan dollar per kilowatt hour.
01:43Gas-fired power plant is more than 3.4.
01:47If nuclear is allowed to provide electricity to the grid, that is not only useful, but
01:55also helpful to improve Taipower's financial situation.
02:02Others are more skeptical.
02:22The ruling Democratic Progressive Party says it's open to rethinking nuclear power.
02:27But with the last reactor still set to shut down, time is running out to decide.
02:32Fu Huahong and Chris Gorin for Taiwan Plus.