Nuclear Safety Commission: Review for Nuclear Plant 3 Restart Has Begun, Safety Cannot Be Rushed
Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSTC) confirmed the substantive review for restarting the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (Plant 3) has started. Chairman Chen Ming-zhen stressed that procedures cannot be rushed to ensure absolute safety, amidst growing AI power demand.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 10:44
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 11:01 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 11:42 (40 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Tseng Chih-yi, Taipei, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te mentioned yesterday when meeting with environmental groups that facing current circumstances, nuclear power development must be re-evaluated. Nuclear Safety Commission (NSTC) Chairman Chen Ming-zhen stated today that Taipower submitted the restart plan for the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (Nuclear Plant 3) at the end of March, and the NSTC has already begun its review. He emphasized that the review cannot be accelerated and must proceed step-by-step to ensure every procedure meets safety requirements.
During yesterday's meeting between the President and representatives of environmental groups at the 23rd "National NGOs Environmental Conference," President Lai reiterated regarding the use of nuclear energy that the government will handle it prudently based on three premises: "nuclear safety is guaranteed, nuclear waste is resolved, and there is social consensus." Ho Tsung-hsun, convener of the environmental conference issue communication platform, added that because the development of green energy and natural gas is currently facing hurdles, combined with the increased demand for AI computing power, President Lai believes nuclear development requires a rethinking based on the spatial-temporal environment and mastery of nuclear safety technologies.
The Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee invited Chen Ming-zhen today to present a special report and take questions on "The Current Execution Status and Future Responses of Radioactive Material Monitoring in Our Sea Areas."
Before the meeting, Chen Ming-zhen told the media that Taipower had submitted the restart plan for Nuclear Plant 3 at the end of March, and the NSTC had begun its review. Regarding whether the review could be expedited, he stressed that it must be reviewed step-by-step and cannot be accelerated; they must ensure that every single step meets safety requirements.
The NSTC will hold a local briefing on the "Nuclear Plant 3 Operating License Renewal Case" in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County on the 28th. Chen Ming-zhen stated he would not attend in person, but colleagues from nuclear regulation would be present. If there are opposing voices at the scene, they will answer questions one by one. Even for those not present, opinions can be submitted via the NSTC's website restart section, and the NSTC will reply to all.
Regarding environmental groups' demands for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for restarting nuclear power, Chen Ming-zhen stated that the NSTC is responsible for the environmental impact regarding radiation protection, while other parts will be handled in consultation with the Ministry of Environment.
The NSTC received Taipower's operating license renewal application and restart plan documents for Nuclear Plant 3 on March 27 this year. After confirming the completeness of the documents and their compliance with application requirements on April 8, the substantive review operations were officially launched. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150422
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(CNA Reporter Tseng Chih-yi, Taipei, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te mentioned yesterday when meeting with environmental groups that facing current circumstances, nuclear power development must be re-evaluated. Nuclear Safety Commission (NSTC) Chairman Chen Ming-zhen stated today that Taipower submitted the restart plan for the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (Nuclear Plant 3) at the end of March, and the NSTC has already begun its review. He emphasized that the review cannot be accelerated and must proceed step-by-step to ensure every procedure meets safety requirements.
During yesterday's meeting between the President and representatives of environmental groups at the 23rd "National NGOs Environmental Conference," President Lai reiterated regarding the use of nuclear energy that the government will handle it prudently based on three premises: "nuclear safety is guaranteed, nuclear waste is resolved, and there is social consensus." Ho Tsung-hsun, convener of the environmental conference issue communication platform, added that because the development of green energy and natural gas is currently facing hurdles, combined with the increased demand for AI computing power, President Lai believes nuclear development requires a rethinking based on the spatial-temporal environment and mastery of nuclear safety technologies.
The Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee invited Chen Ming-zhen today to present a special report and take questions on "The Current Execution Status and Future Responses of Radioactive Material Monitoring in Our Sea Areas."
Before the meeting, Chen Ming-zhen told the media that Taipower had submitted the restart plan for Nuclear Plant 3 at the end of March, and the NSTC had begun its review. Regarding whether the review could be expedited, he stressed that it must be reviewed step-by-step and cannot be accelerated; they must ensure that every single step meets safety requirements.
The NSTC will hold a local briefing on the "Nuclear Plant 3 Operating License Renewal Case" in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County on the 28th. Chen Ming-zhen stated he would not attend in person, but colleagues from nuclear regulation would be present. If there are opposing voices at the scene, they will answer questions one by one. Even for those not present, opinions can be submitted via the NSTC's website restart section, and the NSTC will reply to all.
Regarding environmental groups' demands for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for restarting nuclear power, Chen Ming-zhen stated that the NSTC is responsible for the environmental impact regarding radiation protection, while other parts will be handled in consultation with the Ministry of Environment.
The NSTC received Taipower's operating license renewal application and restart plan documents for Nuclear Plant 3 on March 27 this year. After confirming the completeness of the documents and their compliance with application requirements on April 8, the substantive review operations were officially launched. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150422
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.