KMT to push for law amendments on extending nuclear power

Taipei, Feb. 17 (CNA) Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), unveiled plans to push for law amendments to extend the lifespan of the country's nuclear power plants on Monday, citing a recent poll indicating more than 70 percent of Taiwanese support the idea.

A KMT think tank publish the poll results at a press conference in Taipei on Monday, using the data to advocate for amendments to several laws the party argues restrict energy development under the energy policies of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

According to the poll, 73.6 percent of respondents supported amending existing laws to extend the operational lifespan of nuclear power plants from 40 years to 60 years, while 20.7 percent opposed the idea.

"I believe everyone can see that the DPP's 'nuclear-free homeland' policy has adversely affected Taiwan's energy development," said KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫).

"[They] shut down all nuclear plants and replaced them with green energy. Electricity prices will inevitably rise accordingly, and Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) is certain to incur severe losses," he added.

As part of the DPP's plan to phase out nuclear power, only 3 percent of Taiwan's electricity is currently generated by Unit 2 of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County -- the country's last remaining operational nuclear reactor -- which is scheduled to be decommissioned on May 17.

KMT lawmaker Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) noted that support for extending nuclear power plant operations was highest in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli, where 89.3 percent of respondents favored the idea -- a trend she attributed to the presence of Hsinchu Science Park.

Potential power shortages could hamper the growth of Taiwan's artificial intelligence industry, warned KMT legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇).

To ensure a stable power supply, KMT members said the party aims to amend the Electricity Act, the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, the Climate Change Response Act and the Basic Environment Act.

Ko also argued that Taiwan's energy policies lack effective oversight, as the Energy Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs currently oversees domestic energy affairs.

She pointed to poll results showing that 77 percent of respondents supported amending the Electricity Act to establish an independent review committee for energy policy, while 12 percent disagreed.

Public opinion was more divided on shifting Taiwan's energy policy from a "nuclear-free homeland" to a "low-carbon homeland," with 57.8 percent in favor and 25.5 percent opposed.

While Ko said more public education is needed to clarify the distinction between the two concepts, Chu criticized the DPP's approach of replacing nuclear power with thermal power, arguing that it has worsened air pollution. He urged bipartisan cooperation to amend the relevant laws.

The poll was conducted by All Dimensions Public Research Inc., which collected 1,069 valid samples via phone interviews from Feb. 10-12, according to the KMT.

In response to the KMT, the Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized the importance of dialogue between the opposition and ruling parties while stressing that there can be no compromise on nuclear safety.

Because the nuclear power plants were originally designed to be operational for a maximum of 40 years, a comprehensive review of equipment corrosion and maintenance will be necessary if their lifespan is to be extended, the ministry said in a statement.

Defending the Energy Administration's independence, the ministry noted that more than half of the members in all its review committees and offices handling power-related issues come from outside the agency.

The ministry said it welcomes collaboration with the opposition in reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero goals, adding that Taipower's thermal power plants in Taichung and Keelung -- both under KMT-led administrations -- should also contribute to the effort.