Referendum result shows need for more diverse energy mix: Scholars

Taipei, Aug. 24 (CNA) The result of Saturday's referendum on restarting the Third (Maanshan) Nuclear Power Plant showed that nuclear energy remains a divisive issue in Taiwan and highlighted the need for a more diverse energy mix, Taiwanese scholars said Sunday.

On the question "Do you agree that the Third Nuclear Power Plant should continue operating once the competent authority has confirmed that there are no safety concerns?" 74 percent were in favor while 26 percent were against, according to the Central Election Commission.

However, the number of affirmative votes fell short of the 25 percent of eligible voters required for the referendum to pass.

"The failure to reach the threshold shows controversy remains," said Chen Jong-shun (陳中舜), an associate researcher at the Center for Green Economy of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research.

Chen suggested that based on previous project experience Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) could in theory and with broad social consensus restart operations at the plant in "as little as two years." However, as there is currently no such consensus "the future is still unclear."

Meanwhile, Chen Shih-hau (陳詩豪), director-general of the Research Division V of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, said energy security must also consider public opinion, otherwise it "only increases variables" in Taipower's planning.

Citing the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei as an example, he noted that the long-delayed project, which never entered commercial operation, created supply pressures in northern Taiwan until a gas-fired generator at the Datan Power Plant in Taoyuan came online.

Those delays, he said, forced the continued operation of heavy oil-fired units at the Hsieh-ho Power Plant in Keelung, delaying the plant's planned conversion from oil to natural gas.

Chen Shih-hau acknowledged that restarting existing plants is less costly than building new ones, but shutting down large nuclear facilities has "a significant impact," which is "why energy planning emphasizes diversification."

"The most feasible form of distributed energy in the future is solar power with electric vehicle storage, followed by natural gas storage with gas-fired units and geothermal," said Tsuang Ben-jei (莊秉潔), professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at National Chung Hsing University.

Tsuang estimates such power would cost NT$5 (US$0.16) to NT$10 per kilowatt-hour.

He noted that the state-run oil refiner, CPC Corp., Taiwan, operates a natural gas storage facility 3,000 meters underground in Miaoli County, which he said could supply Taiwan with 26 days of reserve energy.

Restoring other natural underground storage sites could increase reserves to more than 600 days, Tsuang added.