Taiwan shuts last nuclear reactor as lawmakers debate lifespan extensions

Taiwan began shutting down its last operating nuclear reactor on May 17 as its 40-year license expired, raising concerns about the island’s energy security and climate objectives.

The phased power reduction started at 1 p.m. local time, with the reactor expected to be fully disconnected by 10 p.m. and safely shut down around midnight, according to a statement from state utility Taiwan Power Co, cited by Bloomberg.

The Maanshan plant’s final reactor contributed about 3% of Taiwan’s total electricity generation.

This shutdown coincides with growing debate among Taiwanese lawmakers over whether to extend the operational lifespan of nuclear reactors and maintain atomic energy within the territory’s power mix. On May 13, legislators revised a bill allowing nuclear facilities, previously limited to 40 years of operation, to apply for license renewals of up to 20 years, signalling a possible policy shift in favour of nuclear power.

Energy security is a critical issue for Taiwan, home to global semiconductor leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Despite the legal opening for license extensions, restarting the Maanshan plant will likely take at least two to four years due to required safety inspections, according to Aniket Autade, senior analyst at Rystad Energy.

In the meantime, Taiwan is expected to continue relying heavily on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet energy demands, particularly for power-intensive sectors such as AI and semiconductors. To ensure a stable supply, Taipower plans to add nearly five gigawatts of gas-fired power capacity this year—equivalent to about five nuclear reactors—alongside an additional 3.5 gigawatts from wind and solar sources, the utility said on May 17.

However, operating costs for LNG plants and electricity purchases from private generators are roughly double that of nuclear power, Autade noted, pointing out that Taipower’s fragile financial situation limits its ability to absorb higher expenses.

“The Taiwanese government will likely need to raise electricity prices in the future,” he warned.

By Tamilla Hasanova