Minister-Designate Guo Zhihui Affirms Nuclear Power is Not Green, Reiterates Commitment to Non-Nuclear Homes and Green Energy Development

During Minister-Designate Guo Zhihui's discussion with legislators about energy issues, concerns were raised regarding the classification of nuclear energy. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reported that in response to inquiries, Minister Guo-designate clarified that nuclear power is not considered green energy but is recognized as clean energy under international standards. Furthermore, it was confirmed that nuclear energy is excluded from the RE100 goal, which major companies on the island, including TSMC and Foxconn, are striving to achieve.

The MOEA reaffirmed that the government's commitment to a non-nuclear home policy remains steadfast, in line with Article 23 of the Basic Environmental Law, which mandates a gradual transition towards a non-nuclear homeland. Additionally, the MOEA highlighted the urgent demand for green electricity within the island's supply chain, which is expected to peak in the first wave by 2030. This surge is crucial not only to meet the initial RE30 target (30% green electricity) but also to satisfy the high-end manufacturing processes that require exclusive use of green electricity. Consequently, the Ministry will prioritize green electricity as a vital component for industrial exports.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has addressed the ongoing debates concerning the future use of existing nuclear power plants on the island. The MOEA emphasizes that the legal framework outlining the operational duration and decommissioning schedules for nuclear power plants is well-established. As a governmental body, the MOEA's stance is to enforce and administer these regulations strictly in accordance with the law.

The MOEA noted that according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, the definition of clean energy encompasses a wide range of technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This broad definition includes renewable energy, fossil fuel power generation equipped with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology, nuclear energy, and battery energy storage systems. However, the MOEA clarified that for the RE100 initiative, which major domestic manufacturers have committed to, the definition of green energy explicitly excludes nuclear power generation.