If all the nation’s nuclear power plants were immediately taken offline, power rationing might have to be implemented, Taiwan Power Co (Taipower) said late on Sunday in response to demands by protesters that all nuclear plants should suspend operations.
“Using the data from last year as an example, the actual [electricity] reserve capacity rate was 20.6 percent. If the electricity generated by the nation’s three nuclear power plants were eliminated, the reserve capacity rate would drop to 6 percent,” Taipower said.
Provisional power dispatches, mechanical failures or regular maintenance procedures could force restrictions to be implemented on electricity consumption, it said, adding that the nation has an independent electricity supply system and it could not purchase electricity from other countries if it faced a power shortage.
On questions about the safety of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, which is under construction in New Taipei City’s (新北市) Gongliao District (貢寮), Taipower said it would ensure the plant’s safety before commencing operations.
Taipower said it would invite operators from the World Association of Nuclear Operators, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as oversea and local specialists to evaluate the plant during the operational test period.
Taiwan lacks power resources and relies on imports for 99 percent of its energy resources, the company said. The generation of electricity must therefore take resources, the environment and economic development into consideration, it added.
In addition, Taipower said all low-level radioactive waste dumped on Lanyu (蘭嶼), also known as Orchid Island, would be removed as soon as the construction of a final disposal site is completed.
An examination of the storage site on Lanyu was completed in November last year, and although a slight leak was found, the radiation level was lower than the regulated standard and would not cause harm to human health or the environment, the company said.
Taipower said it would continue to improve its environmental management at the storage site to avoid any more radioactive leaks.
However, several environmental protection non-governmental organizations were not convinced by Taipower’s response and said they plan to hold a press conference today at the legislature to elucidate their concerns.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
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