Taiwan Votes on Nuclear Power Revival Amid AI Energy Demands
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Taiwan votes on recalling opposition lawmakers and reviving nuclear power
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Voters in Taiwan are deciding Saturday whether to dismiss seven opposition members from the legislature and on a return to nuclear power five months after the last operating reactor shut down. The recall votes, the second in a month, are an attempt to restore ruling party control of the legislature after the Democratic Progressive Party lost its majority in a 2024 election. The prospects for doing so appear dim after 24 members of the opposition Nationalist Party all survived a first round of recall votes on July 26. The Democratic Progressive Party won the presidency in 2024 but neither party took a majority in the 113-seat legislature. The Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT, won 52 seats, one more than the DPP. The Nationalists have teamed up with a third party, the Taiwan People's Party, to pass legislation, much to the consternation of the ruling DPP. The referendum on nuclear power The DPP has been phasing out nuclear power, which once provided about 20% of Taiwan's electricity. The last operating reactor at the self-governing island's three nuclear plants was shut in May after 40 years in service. But the same month, the legislature approved a proposal from the Taiwan People's Party to hold a referendum on extending nuclear power, with the support of the Nationalists. The referendum asks voters if the most recently shut nuclear plant should continue operating, assuming regulators agree it is safe to do so. The Maanshan plant, commonly called the third nuclear power plant, is near Taiwan's southern tip. Backers of nuclear power have said it would reduce electricity bills and help meet the growing demand for power from artificial intelligence applications. Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born founder of American chip giant Nvidia, backed nuclear power when asked about the issue after arriving at the airport Friday in the capital, Taipei. Citing AI's need for energy, he told reporters he hopes that all options will be explored. "There's excellent technologies for sustainable energy -- solar and wind," he said. "And nuclear is an excellent option." In May, Nvidia announced it would team up with Taiwan electronics manufacturer Foxconn to build an AI supercomputer for the island's researchers and companies.
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Taiwan votes on recalling opposition lawmakers and reviving nuclear power
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Voters in Taiwan are deciding Saturday whether to dismiss seven opposition members from the legislature and on a return to nuclear power five months after the last operating reactor shut down. The recall votes, the second in a month, are an attempt to restore ruling party control of the legislature after the Democratic Progressive Party lost its majority in a 2024 election. The prospects for doing so appear dim after 24 members of the opposition Nationalist Party all survived a first round of recall votes on July 26. The Democratic Progressive Party won the presidency in 2024 but neither party took a majority in the 113-seat legislature. The Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT, won 52 seats, one more than the DPP. The Nationalists have teamed up with a third party, the Taiwan People's Party, to pass legislation, much to the consternation of the ruling DPP. The referendum on nuclear power The DPP has been phasing out nuclear power, which once provided about 20% of Taiwan's electricity. The last operating reactor at the self-governing island's three nuclear plants was shut in May after 40 years in service. But the same month, the legislature approved a proposal from the Taiwan People's Party to hold a referendum on extending nuclear power, with the support of the Nationalists. The referendum asks voters if the most recently shut nuclear plant should continue operating, assuming regulators agree it is safe to do so. The Maanshan plant, commonly called the third nuclear power plant, is near Taiwan's southern tip. Backers of nuclear power have said it would reduce electricity bills and help meet the growing demand for power from artificial intelligence applications. Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born founder of American chip giant Nvidia, backed nuclear power when asked about the issue after arriving at the airport Friday in the capital, Taipei. Citing AI's need for energy, he told reporters he hopes that all options will be explored. "There's excellent technologies for sustainable energy -- solar and wind," he said. "And nuclear is an excellent option." In May, Nvidia announced it would team up with Taiwan electronics manufacturer Foxconn to build an AI supercomputer for the island's researchers and companies.
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Taiwan holds a referendum on reviving nuclear power, with AI energy demands influencing the debate. The vote coincides with attempts to recall opposition lawmakers.
Taiwan's Dual Vote: Nuclear Power and Political Recall
Taiwan is at a crossroads as voters head to the polls for a dual-purpose vote that could reshape both the country's energy landscape and political makeup. The referendum, held on Saturday, asks citizens to decide on reviving nuclear power and whether to recall seven opposition lawmakers
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Source: AP NEWS
Nuclear Power Referendum
The nuclear power referendum comes five months after Taiwan shut down its last operating reactor, marking the end of an era where nuclear energy once supplied about 20% of the island's electricity
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. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), currently in power, has been phasing out nuclear power as part of its energy policy.However, the referendum, proposed by the Taiwan People's Party and supported by the opposition Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT), asks voters if the recently closed Maanshan plant should continue operating, subject to safety approvals
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. This plant, often referred to as the third nuclear power plant, is located near Taiwan's southern tip.AI's Role in the Energy Debate
Interestingly, the growing demand for power from artificial intelligence (AI) applications has become a significant factor in the nuclear debate. Proponents of nuclear power argue that it could help meet the increasing energy needs driven by AI while potentially reducing electricity bills
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.Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born founder of American chip giant Nvidia, weighed in on the issue during a visit to Taipei. He expressed support for nuclear power, stating, "There's excellent technologies for sustainable energy -- solar and wind. And nuclear is an excellent option"
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. Huang's comments carry weight, especially considering Nvidia's recent announcement to partner with Taiwan's Foxconn in building an AI supercomputer for the island's researchers and companies1
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.Related Stories
Political Implications
The vote is not just about energy policy; it's also intertwined with Taiwan's complex political landscape. The recall vote targeting seven opposition lawmakers is the second such attempt in a month, aimed at restoring the ruling DPP's control of the legislature
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.The DPP won the presidency in 2024 but failed to secure a majority in the 113-seat legislature. The KMT, with 52 seats (one more than the DPP), has allied with the Taiwan People's Party to pass legislation, much to the DPP's frustration
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.Previous Recall Attempt
The prospects for successful recalls appear slim, given that all 24 members of the Nationalist Party survived a first round of recall votes on July 26
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. This suggests that the political status quo might remain unchanged, regardless of the outcome of the nuclear power referendum.As Taiwan grapples with these crucial decisions, the intersection of energy policy, political maneuvering, and the demands of emerging technologies like AI presents a complex scenario for voters to navigate. The outcome of this vote could have far-reaching implications for Taiwan's energy future and political stability in the coming years.
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