Many large enterprises in Taiwan are required to use green electricity to meet export demand. (Photo: iStock)
As the 100% renewable energy use target and carbon tariffs are established internationally, demand for green electricity is escalating. However, voices in Taiwan's business community supporting nuclear power are growing stronger, prompting the new government to re-examine its nuclear power policies.
With the inauguration of Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on May 20, the direction of Taiwan's energy policy has become a focus of public attention.
Recently, Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢), the chairman of electronics manufacturer Pegatron, has frequently expressed his support for nuclear power; the prospective Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Chih-hui (郭智輝) also mentioned during a visit to the Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee that nuclear power is a clean energy source and promised a review of Taiwan's energy policies as soon as possible after taking office.
Amid the corporate support for nuclear power, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) issued a statement on May 16 reaffirming the government's goal for a nuclear-free homeland as well as its commitment to developing green energy.
