Taiwan moves closer to restarting nuclear plant
The nuclear regulator has assessed the restart plan for reactor three, but power generation is not yet permitted.
Taiwan has taken an important procedural step towards a possible restart of nuclear power plant number three. The Nuclear Safety Commission has assessed the restart plan, but stresses that further safety checks, reports and a new licence are still required.
The regulator announced on Thursday that its assessment of the restart plan for reactor three had been completed. It concerns the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in southern Taiwan, the last plant to generate electricity before the phase-out of nuclear power.
The decision does not mean that the reactor may be restarted immediately. Taiwan Power Company must carry out the approved work and submit a report on it. The regulator will assess that report again and inspect the site to check whether the measures have been implemented as planned.
In parallel, Taiwan Power Company is carrying out its own safety review. This includes examining the ageing of facilities, radiation safety and earthquake resistance. The Nuclear Safety Commission says that electricity production will only be considered after these steps have been completed and a new operating licence has been issued.
The procedure is part of a broader change of course. Taiwan has phased out its nuclear power plants in recent years; the last reactor at Maanshan was shut down in May 2025. Since then, parliament and the government have been discussing again whether nuclear power is needed to keep the energy supply stable.
The Central Election Commission has also approved a referendum for November. Voters will be asked whether Taiwan should abandon its policy of being a nuclear-free homeland. Supporters point to affordable electricity, national resilience and rapidly growing demand from the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors.
Opponents stress that restarting a shut-down facility is not only a political choice, but also a long-term safety and waste issue. The regulator’s current decision makes a restart procedurally possible, but leaves the outcome open: the plant must still undergo several technical and administrative checks.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Taiwan’s regulator has completed its assessment of the restart plan for reactor three.
- Taiwan Power Company still has to carry out work, submit reports and undergo additional safety checks.
- A referendum on the nuclear-free policy is scheduled for November.
- The last reactor at Maanshan was shut down in May 2025.
Left
Arguments From this perspective, a restart should not be driven by the electricity demand of chip factories, but by maximum safety and a fair assessment of waste, earthquake risks and long-term costs. Investment in energy efficiency and renewable sources should take priority.
Values The precautionary principle, public health, climate responsibility and democratic oversight.
Consequences A cautious or rejecting approach could accelerate the transition to renewable energy, but would require greater short-term investment in grids, storage and other dispatchable sources.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach is to separate the political choice from the technical licensing process. A limited restart may be open to discussion if independent checks, transparent reporting and public participation show that the facility can operate safely.
Values Expertise, procedural rigour, institutional reliability and security of supply.
Consequences This could create room for greater energy security without lowering safety standards, but the process remains lengthy and uncertain and requires oversight that also enjoys public trust.
Right
Arguments Supporters of a restart stress that Taiwan should become less dependent on imported fuels for its economy and defensive resilience. In this view, nuclear power provides stable electricity for the semiconductor industry and can limit pressure on gas imports and electricity prices.
Values Energy independence, economic growth, national security and affordability.
Consequences A rapid but safe restart could give industry greater certainty, while delay or rejection would, from this perspective, create risks for competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The procedural status is based on the Taiwanese regulator and supplemented by official information about the referendum. The text clearly distinguishes between approval of a plan and permission to produce electricity.
- confirmed Taiwan’s Nuclear Safety Commission has completed its assessment of the restart plan for reactor three. — This is stated in the Taiwanese regulator’s announcement of 24 September 2026. source
- confirmed The reactor may not produce electricity immediately after this assessment. — The regulator identifies further implementation, reporting, inspection and licensing as requirements. source
- confirmed The last reactor at Maanshan was shut down in May 2025. — Focus Taiwan reports that the phase-out was completed in May 2025. source
- confirmed A referendum on the nuclear-free policy has been approved for November. — The Central Election Commission approved the referendum, according to Focus Taiwan. source
- confirmed Taiwan Power Company must investigate, among other things, ageing, radiation and earthquake safety. — These elements are included in the Nuclear Safety Commission’s procedural explanation. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the Nuclear Safety Commission has completed its assessment of the restart plan and that further checks and a licence are required. The final restart date and the outcome of the referendum remain uncertain.Sources
- Nuclear Safety Commission rondt beoordeling herstartplan reactor drie af — Nuclear Safety Commission Taiwan
- Taiwan keurt referendum over kernenergiebeleid goed — Focus Taiwan
- Taipower dient plan voor herstart reactor drie in — Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs
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