Taipei: Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei has reiterated the Taiwanese government’s plan to shut down the No. 2 unit at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, despite opposition parties’ efforts to amend the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act. The shutdown is scheduled for May 17, aligning with the current legal framework.

According to Focus Taiwan, Minister Kuo addressed the Legislative Yuan’s Economics Committee, emphasizing that the reactor must be decommissioned as per the current regulations. He highlighted the limited lifespan of the reactor’s nuclear fuel, which is expected to last only until the end of the month. Restarting the reactor, located in Pingtung, would require a lengthy process of 16 to 18 months due to the need for procuring new fuel rods and ensuring safety protocols.

The main opposition parties, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), are advocating for legislative amendments to keep the reactor operational, citing concerns over potential increases in electricity prices and threats to energy security. At a recent KMT news conference, lawmaker Wang Yu-min expressed concerns that decommissioning the reactor would heighten reliance on fossil fuels, raise costs, and jeopardize national security. Wang also pointed out Taiwan’s vulnerability, noting that its natural gas reserves would last only seven to 10 days if a blockade were imposed, amid rising military activities by China.

KMT lawmaker Chang Chia-chun argued that the conditions for extending the reactor’s operation-public consensus, nuclear safety, and effective waste management-had already been fulfilled. She referred to recent polls indicating nearly 70 percent public support for continuing nuclear energy use and cited Presidential Office climate adviser Tung Tzu-Hsien’s remarks on the critical role of nuclear energy in Taiwan’s energy strategy.

Another lawmaker, Ko Ju-chun, urged the government to reconsider its nuclear phaseout plans, questioning the rationale behind maintaining aging coal-fired units if the nation’s power supply is indeed stable. Ko expressed hope that the administration would reconsider its stance and avoid potential energy pitfalls.