Taiwan has begun procedures to reactivate two nuclear power plants, about a year after the shutdown of its last operating reactor, due to high energy demand linked to artificial intelligence and tensions in the Middle East.
State-owned company Taipower is working to obtain the necessary approvals to restart the Kuosheng plant in the north and the Maanshan plant in the south, Taiwanese leader William Lai said on Saturday.
According to Lai, the company is expected to submit a plan to the Nuclear Safety Commission by the end of this month, emphasizing that nuclear safety, waste management, and social consensus are the “three key factors” to consider.
The initiative follows the shutdown of the last Maanshan reactor in May 2025, marking the end of Taiwan’s nuclear era, after the progressive decommissioning of the Chinshan and Kuosheng plants between 2018 and 2023.
The previous decision fulfilled a major goal of the Democratic Progressive Party, which advocated for a “nuclear-free homeland,” especially following the Fukushima accident.
Read more about this topic: Taiwan says China remains a threat and calls for defense reinforcement
However, Taiwan’s strong economic growth, the need for low-emission electricity, and the rising energy consumption of the AI industry, along with recent legislative changes, have led the government to reconsider its position, Lai acknowledged.
He referred to a law passed last year by the opposition-majority parliament allowing nuclear plants to continue operating even after entering the decommissioning phase.
The potential return to nuclear energy is also driven by geopolitical factors. In 2025, liquefied natural gas accounted for over 47% of Taiwan’s electricity production, with about one-third imported from Qatar.
Approximately 70% of the island’s crude oil imports also come from the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, increasing vulnerability to supply disruptions due to ongoing regional conflicts.
In a statement, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said natural gas supplies are expected to remain stable until the end of May, with imports already diversified across 14 countries, reducing dependence on the Middle East.
Taiwan’s reliance on imported fuels via maritime routes also exposes it to potential blockades by China, which considers the island part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force.
In recent Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, called “Mission Justice-2025,” the military simulated scenarios of blockades and the seizure of ports and other strategic infrastructure.
