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Taiwan has approved a preliminary plan to restart its idled Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant. This decision marks a reversal of the ruling party’s anti-nuclear stance. The Nuclear Safety Commission cleared the initial proposal, with Taiwan Power Co needing further safety inspections. The plant could resume operations as early as 2028, addressing pressure from chipmakers for stable, low-carbon electricity.
Taiwan's decision to restart the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant by 2028 directly responds to chipmakers' demands for stable, low-carbon electricity. The policy underscores the energy-intensive nature of semiconductor manufacturing. GlobalFoundries, for example, is accelerating capacity expansion driven by AI, with Singapore playing a vital role. Reliable power is now a core input for advanced chip production.
The policy shift benefits Taiwan's high-tech and AI-related industries, which face rising energy costs. It also highlights a widening "K-shaped" economic divide. Traditional industries in Taiwan are struggling while AI firms thrive. The energy policy aims to sustain the growth of the tech sector, potentially exacerbating the imbalance for other sectors.
The real test for Taiwan is whether the Ma-anshan plant can restart on schedule by 2028. Delays would leave chipmakers reliant on less stable or higher-carbon energy sources. This could impact Taiwan's competitiveness against other manufacturing hubs like Singapore, which GlobalFoundries has already tapped for expansion.
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