On Saturday, August 23, 2025, voters in Taipei participated in a significant election that included a crucial referendum regarding the potential restart of the Maanshan nuclear power plant. This polling day marked another round of key decisions for Taiwan, where the electorate was also tasked with choosing whether to remove seven opposition members from the legislature.
This recall vote is the second of its kind in a month's time and comes in the wake of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) losing its legislative majority following the 2024 elections. On July 26, all 24 members from the opposition Nationalist Party, known as the Kuomintang (KMT), successfully avoided removal in the initial recall round, complicating the DPP's efforts to regain control.
Despite securing the presidency in 2024, neither the DPP nor the KMT holds a majority in the 113-seat legislative assembly, with the Nationalists claiming 52 seats. In response to the political dynamic, the KMT has allied with the Taiwan People's Party to enact various pieces of legislation, causing frustration for the ruling DPP.
The DPP has been pursuing a policy of phasing out nuclear power, which historically supplied approximately 20% of Taiwan's energy needs. The last remaining reactor, which had been operational for four decades, was shut down in May. However, that same month, in a surprising turn, the legislature, with backing from the Nationalists, approved a referendum to gauge public opinion on the future of nuclear energy in Taiwan.
The referendum proposes to ask voters whether the recently closed nuclear plant should resume operations if safety regulations allow it. Proponents of nuclear energy argue that it could lower electricity costs and meet the rising demand for power, particularly driven by artificial intelligence technologies.
Notably, Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born co-founder of Nvidia, publicly advocated for nuclear power during his recent visit to Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of exploring various energy options to support initiatives like artificial intelligence development. He mentioned that while sustainable technologies such as solar and wind are excellent choices, nuclear should also remain on the table. In a related project, Nvidia plans to collaborate with Foxconn to develop an AI supercomputer for Taiwanese researchers and enterprises.
7 Comments
Bella Ciao
The KMT trying to sabotage the DPP - classic! This is just a political power play.
Michelangelo
Taipei voters need to remember Fukushima. This is about their lives and the lives of their children.
Leonardo
Jensen Huang's opinion doesn't trump public safety. He's a tech guy, not an energy expert.
Donatello
Electricity prices are too high. Nuclear can provide a more affordable option for consumers.
Matzomaster
The DPP's phasing out of nuclear power is the right move. We need to prioritize safety and renewable energy sources.
dedus mopedus
Cost savings? I'm skeptical. Nuclear plants are expensive to maintain and decommission. Let's focus on true cost-effective solutions like solar.
Eugene Alta
I understand the concerns but improvements in nuclear technology over the decades allow for much safer use.