The referendum on restarting the Maanshan (Third) Nuclear Power Plant failed to pass. Although yes votes outnumbered no votes, insufficient voter turnout reflected that a social consensus has yet to be formed. Professor Jong-Shun Chen, Associate Research Fellow at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), pointed out that the core issues surrounding nuclear energy center on nuclear safety inspections, procedural legitimacy, and social acceptance. Without sufficient consensus, political and social variables will continue to influence policy direction.
Professor Chen noted that while the referendum proposal set “safety assurance” as a prerequisite, ultimate decisions still require government professional review and institutional safeguards. The public remains skeptical about whether voting can truly influence decision-making. Recent power outages, electricity price increases, and renewable energy disruptions from natural disasters have highlighted energy supply challenges, requiring Taiwan to plan more carefully for the future. Although the cost of restarting nuclear power is lower than building new plants, the massive impact of shutting down large nuclear facilities demonstrates that the energy structure must be diversified. Professor Chen suggests Taiwan could learn from Japan and South Korea’s experience, allowing nuclear power to maintain its role as baseload electricity while advancing renewable energy. However, this must be coupled with natural gas and hydropower to ensure grid stability while balancing cost and low-carbon competitiveness.
Professor Chen emphasized that Taiwan’s most appropriate energy mix should achieve balance among “safety, stability, and low-carbon goals” while ensuring a robust electricity supply during the transition process.
Author: CIER Editorial Team
Date: August 25, 2025