Taiwan will become nuclear-free by 2055: premier

Want China Times, CNA 2013-03-15

A protest held in Taipei against the use of nuclear
power, March 9. (Photo/Wang Chin-ho)

Taiwan will phase out nuclear power by 2055 at the latest, premier Jiang Yi-huah said Tuesday.

Jiang said at an interpellation session at the Legislature that all nuclear power plants in Taiwan will be decommissioned by 2055, based on the 40-year operating life of a nuclear power plant.

The calculation includes the fourth nuclear power plant that is under construction in New Taipei, Jiang said in response to questions by opposition Democratic Progressive Party legislator Tsai Chi-chang.

The premier said he has asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs to draw up a probable timetable for Taiwan to become nuclear-free, taking into consideration Taiwan's economic growth and possible energy alternatives for the country.

The cabinet on March 7 passed a draft law, which aims to promote energy safety and create a nuclear-free homeland in Taiwan, but the draft did not specify a timetable for decommissioning all nuclear power plants in Taiwan.

Three power plants are currently in operation in Taiwan — two in New Taipei and the other in Pingtung. All three plants are around three decades old.

The construction of the controversial fourth power plant has stretched over 14 years and has so far cost taxpayers some NT$300 billion (US$10 billion). It is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Over 6.5 million people, or nearly a third of Taiwan's population, live within 80 kilometers of the plant.

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