1st forum on nuclear plant relaunch referendum held Thursday

Taipei, Aug. 7 (CNA) The first forum to discuss the upcoming referendum on relaunching the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County was held Thursday, with the attendees presenting arguments both for and against the proposal.

The referendum scheduled for Aug. 23 will ask voters if they agree that "the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns."

At Thursday's forum, Yeh Tsung-kuang (葉宗洸), director of National Tsing Hua University's College of Nuclear Science, spoke in favor of the plant's relaunch, saying Taiwan has a "power shortage issue."

This is evident in the fact that old coal-burning units remain in operation, and Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) continues to buy expensive renewable energy while operating at a loss, Yeh said.

He said that wind and solar power cost NT$6.5 (US$0.22) and NT$4.8 per kilowatt hour, respectively, while nuclear power costs just NT$1.5 per kWh.

The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in southern Taiwan can not only help to cut costs but also reduce the region's reliance on energy supplies from central Taiwan, Yeh said.

Ensuring energy security is crucial, he said, adding that Taiwan currently relies heavily on imported energy.

He said that former U.S. Naval Intelligence Commander Mike Studeman has expressed similar views, highlighting Taiwan's energy reliance, and has suggested that Taiwan maintain at least one nuclear power plant.

Taiwan's current energy reserves include 36 days' worth of coal, 7 to 11 days of natural gas, and 18-36 months of nuclear fuel, according to Yeh.

China is aware of Taiwan's energy vulnerabilities, Yeh said, adding that in the event of a cross-strait war, it would be crucial for Taiwan to have a nuclear power plant capable of sustaining its power needs until United States forces arrive.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, nearly 70 percent of Ukraine's energy comes from nuclear power, which remains operational during wartime, he said.

Nuclear power plants are unlikely to be targeted during war, given the potentially devastating consequences for both sides and the wider world, Yeh said.

He did not comment, however, on the seizure of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russian forces in 2022.

Yeh said that while the 5-6 percent of energy currently generated by Taiwan's nuclear plants might seem minor, it is important, especially if there is a blockade of the country's ports, which would prevent the importation of natural gas.

He also dismissed concerns about earthquake risks, noting that Taiwan's nuclear power plants have operated for over 40 years without any quake-related incidents.

"No nuclear power plant in the world has ever been damaged by an earthquake," he said, adding that the Fukushima disaster in Japan was caused by a tsunami that flooded the plant's underground emergency generators.

In contrast, Taiwan's emergency generators are installed above ground, and the plants are protected by a 19-meter-high tsunami barrier, while the highest estimated tsunami in the area is just 10 meters, he said.

The 40-year limit on the Maanshan plant is not based on technological factors but rather on regulatory issues, and the plant only needs repairs, not a complete overhaul.

In response, Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng (曾文生) said that his problem with the referendum is based mainly on "safety concerns."

The renewal or relaunch of nuclear power units should not be decided by public vote yet, as it is an undertaking that requires time and proper procedures, including safety inspections, equipment upgrades, and structural reinforcements, he said.

Taipower should first carry out thorough safety checks via a transparent process, which must be reviewed and approved by the relevant authorities, Tseng said. Any other risks should be clearly communicated to the public before making a decision, he added.

Tseng said that amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act in May allow for the renewal of nuclear power plant licenses after expiration, but the act's implementation rules must clearly define the required safety inspection procedures.

He said that Taipower would launch self-check procedures as soon as the implementation rules are in place.

In addition to addressing safety concerns, the company has also pushed for legislation on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste, Tseng said.

He criticized proponents of a relaunch for portraying it as a low-cost and simple operation, saying such a view is unfair to the company and its employees.

While the loss of the 6 percent of power generated by the nuclear plant would put pressure on Taipower, the company will utilize its generators to the fullest, Tseng said.

Responding to concerns about energy shortages, Tseng said Taiwan's reserve margin fell to its lowest in 2016 and 2017 -- dropping below 6 percent for more than 100 days -- although both the Kuosheng and Maanshan nuclear power plants were still in operation.

In contrast, over the past three years, the daily peak reserve margin has rarely dipped below 6 percent, he said.

Regarding air pollution, Tseng said emissions from Taipower's thermal power reactors have been reduced by 70 percent since 2016.

As for concerns that certain decommissioned coal-burning plants have not been demolished, he said that is ensure national safety and provide emergency backup. Moreover, the emergency generators produce less than 1 percent of energy per year, he added.

Tseng said that Taiwan's energy supply will reach regional balance after the three new reactors in Kaohsiung's Hsinta Power Plant are successively put into operation in 2026, which would eliminate southern Taiwan's need for energy supply from central Taiwan.

The presentations, the first of five, were broadcast live on television at 3 p.m. Thursday. The next one will be held Saturday at 7 p.m.