Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou’s statement about the need to start using atomic energy was criticized by the island’s Ministry of Economy, Taiwan News reported.
Ma, the island’s former president of the Kuomintang Party, urged the current head of state, Tsai Ing-wen, who represents the Democratic Progressive Party, to pay attention to nuclear energy.
Ma made such a statement in light of the European Parliament’s inclusion of nuclear and gas energy in the list of environmentally sustainable.
However, the ministry drew Ma’s attention to the conditions under which such inclusion is possible in the European Union. One of them is the requirements for the disposal of nuclear waste, which will be a massive problem for Taiwan with its high population density and earthquake proneness.
The ministry said Ma’s over-reliance on nuclear power and the lack of focus on renewable energy is unsuitable for Taiwan and not compatible with the survival of its industry, such as the semiconductor industry.
According to May 2022 data from the ministry, 20.4% of Taiwan’s energy came from renewable sources.
Recall that the European Parliament adopted the proposal of the European Commission on the recognition of nuclear energy and energy derived from gas as sustainable types of generation. There is an energy crisis in Europe, which is aggravated by sanctions against Russia and its energy supplies to the EU.
At one time, Germany abandoned using atomic energy and closed all its stations. France continues to use nuclear power and develop its nuclear industry.
The decision to recognize nuclear energy as a sustainable generation form caused a storm of protests in Europe.
Taiwan has adopted a zero-emissions program by 2050. Alternative energy is actively developing on the island. Its share in the total generation is already 20%.