Taiwan Shuts Down Last Nuclear Reactor

Taiwan has shut down its last operating nuclear reactor at the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, fulfilling the Democratic Progressive Party's pledge to phase out nuclear energy. Although the legislature recently amended laws to allow possible license extensions for nuclear plants, the government has confirmed that the Ma-anshan reactor will not be extended. This decommissioning occurs as Taiwan's electricity demand rises, particularly due to growth in the semiconductor and AI sectors, with TSMC projected to consume a quarter of the island's electricity. Critics warn that the nuclear exit increases reliance on imported fossil fuels and risks energy shortages amid tensions with China. Renewable sources currently provide only about 12 percent of Taiwan's electricity, complicating environmental targets. The closure has sparked renewed debate over how to balance industrial growth, environmental goals, and national security.