In response to the Nuclear Free demand given by civil groups during the anti-nuclear activities, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) indicates that the government is aware of public's high expectation towards future energy planning. The nuclear-free homeland is the vision shared by the public under the Basic Environment Act. In the meantime, Taiwan's power supply system is independent and over 98% of energy supply relies on imports. Therefore, the difficulties and challenges of energy security faced by Taiwan are far greater than other countries. In order to conform to the vision of energy development for "ensuring nuclear energy safety, steadily reducing nuclear energy dependence, creating a friendly low-carbon green energy environment, and gradually moving towards a nuclear-free homeland" and the principles of "adequate electricity supply, reasonable pricing and fulfilling international carbon reduction commitments", measures for energy conservation, carbon reduction and energy security are being actively implemented.
MOEA indicates that Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant No.1 reactor has been sealed following safety inspection in July of 2015, and its operation will be decided by referendum. Review for the extension and decommissioning of the Jinshan Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 reactor will be conducted simultaneously so that the options can be reserved in case of severe domestic or foreign energy shortage and the rights in choosing the future energy mix can be preserved for the next generation.
Furthermore, in addressing the global challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring mid and long-term energy autonomy and security, many countries have not abandoned the use of nuclear energy in their overall energy policy plans regardless how the renewable energy is developed.
MOEA further indicates that in terms of energy transition, the government is already formulating numerous specific measures as below:
1.Energy demand: Through industrial adjustment and planning, implement comprehensive and mandatory measures for maximizing energy conservation in industrial, service, agricultural, transportation and residential sectors so that energy intensity will decline at 3% per year.
2.Energy supply: According to the Energy Development Program for optimizing energy structure, fully develop non-carbon and autonomous renewable energy, expand the reasonable use of natural gas and actively construct the No. 3 receiving terminal, and replace aging power plants by use of best available technology.
3.MOEA has raised the 2030 renewable energy target for the third time to 17,250 MW, which is 1.5 times higher than the original target, hence demonstrating government's determination and efforts in promoting renewable energy.
MOEA reiterates that energy transition is in progress, and promoting a nuclear-free homeland is a shared vision among the people. In response to severe domestic and foreign energy challenges, the government will ensure adequate energy supply, set a reasonable price, fulfill the international carbon reduction commitments, and steadily promote pragmatic measures for energy transition so that the dependence on nuclear energy can be reduced and the vision of a nuclear-free homeland can be achieved.
Spokesperson for Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs:
Deputy Director General, Ling-Hui Chen
Phone Number: 02-2775-7700
Mobile: 0936-331-761
Email: lhchen@moeaboe.gov.tw
Media Contact: Director, Su-Chen Weng
Phone Number: 02-2775-7710
Mobile: 0910-087-942
Email: scweng@moeaboe.gov.tw
Technical Advisory Contact: Section Chief, Ju-Ming Cheng
Phone Number: 02-2775-715
Mobile: 0952-279-720
E-mail: jmcheng@moeaboe.gov.tw