Taipei: Taiwan’s electricity supply is set to rely heavily on fossil fuels, reaching 84 percent, following the scheduled shutdown of the country’s last active nuclear reactor in mid-May, as stated by Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-huei. Both Kuo and Premier Cho Jung-tai faced inquiries regarding the implications of decommissioning the nuclear reactor at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County on Taiwan’s energy supply and emissions during a legislative hearing.

According to Focus Taiwan, Kuo detailed that “thermal power,” encompassing coal, natural gas, and fuel oil, will comprise 84 percent of domestic electricity production. However, he projected that renewable energy would account for 20 percent by November 2026 and 30 percent by 2030. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), upon assuming power in May 2016, committed to phasing out nuclear power by 2025 while targeting 20 percent renewables by the same year. This goal has been viewed as modest, especially as global averages reached 30 percent renewable electricity by 2023, a milestone Taiwan has yet to achieve.

In 2024, fossil fuels constituted 83.2 percent of Taiwan’s electricity generation, with coal at 39.3 percent and natural gas at 42.4 percent. Nuclear energy contributed 4.2 percent, pumped storage 1.1 percent, and renewable energy 11.6 percent, according to Energy Administration figures. The Maanshan plant’s first reactor ceased operations in late July 2024, with the remaining reactor currently supplying just under 3 percent of Taiwan’s power during peak demand.

Premier Cho assured that closing the final reactor will not impact Taiwan’s electricity generation or lead to energy shortages over the next five to seven years. He noted that expansions at three thermal power stations-Hsinta, Sun Ba, and Datan-will compensate for the loss, maintaining a reserve margin above 15 percent. Kuo, addressing concerns about air pollution, stated that the use of renewable energy and natural gas, labeled as “low-carbon,” will prevent any increase in pollution levels.