Premier Cho Jung-tai Reaffirms Green Energy Commitment While Open to Nuclear Options

Taipei: The government remains committed to developing a wide range of green energy sources while keeping the door open to nuclear power under certain conditions, Premier Cho Jung-tai said. Reducing carbon emissions is the priority and achieving net zero is the goal, Cho stated at the Legislature, emphasizing the government's dedication to advancing green energy initiatives. The premier also highlighted plans to expedite the transition from coal-fired to gas-fired power generators. According to Focus Taiwan, Premier Cho expressed Taiwan's openness to collaborating globally on new power generation technologies to ensure a stable and sufficient power supply. He acknowledged Taiwan's reliance on foreign energy supplies, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), aligning with the broader energy policy to phase out nuclear power and increase gas-fired energy. Cho's remarks were in response to comments by Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Main Office, during an exclusive interview w ith Liberty Times. Greene indicated the United States' interest in collaborating with Taiwan to meet its growing energy demands, especially in LNG, renewables, and nuclear energy. He described nuclear power as a promising area for future cooperation. Premier Cho noted that while Taiwan does not rule out adopting new nuclear energy, it would do so only if nuclear safety is ensured and societal consensus is reached. He expressed the government's desire to engage with global leaders and developers of new technologies for dialogue, research, and collaboration. Cho also addressed the intentions of lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang to amend the law to extend the lifespan of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant's operational reactor. However, he confirmed that the reactor would be decommissioned as scheduled on May 17, in line with existing laws.