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Voters in Taiwan lead to deciding in elections on Saturday whether Taipei should rule its nuclear energy capabilities as the island faces immense energy weaknesses amid growing concern over the threats generated by China.
In May, Taiwan shut down the Manashan Nuclear Power Plant – its last remaining nuclear plant – after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to enhance nuclear power in 2016 in 2016 to fulfill the concerns related to the nuclear fall after the Fukushima accident in Japan by 2025.
Security experts have been an alarm since then, which further highlights the weaknesses of Taiwan for China as island is highly dependent on energy imports, which depends a lot for heavy natural gas (LNG) and crude oil imports on nations such as America, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“Taiwan’s energy dependence is an Akilis heel,” said during a media call after a delegation’s visit early this month, with Senior Fellow Foundation for Democracy (FDD), Senior Director of the Craig Singleton, China program.
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People are ready to close at midnight at Pingtung County, Taiwan on 17 May 2025, enjoying their Saturday afternoon on a beach near the Manashan nuclear power plant. (Daniel Keng/Anadolu Getty Image)
He said, “Beijing can take advantage of the issue without firing a single shot,” he said, the ease with which China can cut trade on the island. “China can take advantage of its maritime dominance, its legal war and cyber equipment to supply and tested Taiwan’s political flexibility.”
In the last decade, Taiwan has imported up to 97% of its energy needs, roughly through fossil fuel options, which currently exceeds 90% of its energy use, while according to FDD experts, renewable, renewable.
However, before its decision to cut relationships with alternative energy options, nuclear power was a strong supply source and provided about 12% of the island needs in 2011.
By 2021, the supply had fallen to about 9.5% and by next year it had exceeded just 4% before it was completely finished this year.
For some countries, nuclear power, especially in Europe, has become a solution as they give up dependence on carbon-enhancing fuel between increasing concern over climate change.
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The soldiers posed for photographs of a group with a Taiwan flag, following a preparation growth drill, following defense against Beijing’s military infiltration, on January 11, 2023, Kosung City, ahead of the lunar new year in Taiwan. (AP Photo/Daniel Keng)
But some countries like Germany have taken a strong nuclear approach to the concerns related to the nuclear outcome-such as the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been observed after the disastrous results of the disaster, which not only affects those in the immediate surrounding area of Ukraine, but also had echoing effects throughout Europe.
In 2023, Berlin also fully phased out nuclear power – but Taiwan is facing some frightening security challenges that are not Germany.
Some opponents of nuclear power have also stated that in recent years the war -time scenario has shown the security risks around the active nuclear power plants – as it was seen during the invasion of Russia’s Ukraine and the Zaporzia was a fight on the nuclear power plant.
But experts also argue that according to a report by Taiwan DW, it will use its reserves in a few days in a few days of implementing China’s blockade.
Therefore, nuclear power will give taipei an additional energy storage solution.
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The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) In an exercise from crafts from landing crafts as a storm, about Taiwan’s about Taiwan, on 10 September 1999. (Str/Xinhua/AFP through Getty Image)
Singleton argued, “Atomic energy, in my view, changes the calculus that gives a lot of continuity under force, and I think it actually complicates Beijing’s playbook.”
Finally, he said that Taiwan needs to better diversify his energy needs to better protect the potential Chinese blockade.
He said, “America needs to help Taiwan to help weaker suppliers such as Qatar, rapid variety, and perhaps prepare for a competition of endurance because I think China is thinking about the issue,” he said, keeping Qatar’s relations with China and its large number of LNG exports to Bejing.
The PLA Navy and the PLA Army operated a cross-day and all-factor live-red-blue collision drill on Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, China, August 24, 2022. (CFOTO/Future Publication through Getty Image)
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Singleton reported that Ukraine has proved an auxiliary case study, not only when it comes to the weaknesses of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, but how can an attacker target weaknesses in every aspect of the nation energy sector.
“Ukraine suggests that energy is one of the fastest ways to reduce the will of a country. And obviously Russia targeted power to free and harmonize and force concessions,” Singleton explained. “I think Beijing is fully studying that playbook.”
