On May 28, Vice President William Lai (賴清德) said that government agencies were deliberating on the feasibility of maintaining closed nuclear reactors in case of an emergency.
I cannot agree with such a plan.
Laws regarding nuclear power do not apply to an emergency. Unless the laws are amended, Lai’s plan cannot be put into practice. Besides, without careful management, it risks a nuclear catastrophe.
Taiwan relies on imported fuel, including for its nuclear generators. If a blockade of the Taiwan Strait happens, nuclear power would not be an option.
Nuclear power is dependent on other sources of energy: Nuclear reactors would not and cannot work independently.
Moreover, nuclear power can only generate electricity, but society needs other kinds of fuel, including gasoline and diesel, and natural gas.
In terms of wartime security, a nuclear plant or any other massive power facility would easily be targeted by the enemy. It is therefore imperative to develop more power generation facilities and move toward a decentralized power distribution system. Only by doing so can Taiwan enhance the security and stability of its energy supplies.
Unlike nuclear power, renewable energy is self-generated and the development process is decentralized. The electricity generated from renewable sources is diversified — gas, liquid and solid, which is what Taiwan should rely on in an attack or a blockade.
More importantly, renewable sources of energy would never lead to a nuclear disaster, nor would they produce nuclear waste. They have low carbon emissions and are sustainable, which would help Taiwan become a non-nuclear homeland with net zero emissions.
Taiwan should invest more in developing renewable energy to achieve energy independence while bolstering supply security.
Moreover, the homeland would be truly nuclear-free.
Shih Shin-min is founding chairman of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union.
Translated by Emma Liu
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