Lai Qingde, the deputy chief of staff of Taiwan, acknowledged that the island might consider restarting decommissioned nuclear power plants in the event of a siege or blockade that disrupts fuel supply. The reporting cited sources from a Taiwanese information portal known as Lianhe xinwenwang via a reference carried by TASS, the Russian news agency.
During a visit by the vice president of Taiwan to National Taiwan University, a student asked how the government would respond if imports of natural gas and other energy sources were cut off during an emergency. In response, Qingde described ongoing work by relevant agencies on contingency plans that would enable the use of already shut-down reactors in such crisis scenarios. The idea is to ensure that the island can maintain a minimum level of electricity and resilience even when external energy supplies are not available.
Current energy statistics show that Taiwan relies heavily on imports, with roughly four-fifths of its energy needs sourced from overseas markets. This dependence highlights the importance of evaluating all potential options to protect the island’s energy security in a rapidly changing regional landscape.
The broader conversation among Taiwan’s political leadership has also touched on the possibility of seeking assurances from allies regarding a “nuclear umbrella” or other forms of strategic energy support. As officials weigh these considerations, they emphasize the need to balance safety, regulatory oversight, and the practical implications for civilian energy access in times of heightened tension. The discussions reflect a larger strategic assessment of how Taiwan can maintain stability in its power system while navigating geopolitical uncertainties that affect fuel supply chains and regional energy markets.