In a vote that underscored the complex energy and geopolitical challenges facing the island, a recent referendum on restarting a nuclear reactor in southern Taiwan failed to meet the legal threshold for passage. While a majority of participating voters supported the measure, the low turnout meant the “yes” votes fell short of the 25% of eligible voters required for the referendum to become law. The Maanshan nuclear plant, which was shut down earlier this year, will thus remain offline, a decision that leaves Taiwan’s energy policy in a state of uncertainty as the island grapples with soaring electricity demand.
The vote was a direct response to a growing energy crisis, with the island’s fast-expanding semiconductor industry, led by global giant TSMC, consuming an ever-larger share of the power supply. The AI boom has intensified this trend, driving up electricity consumption worldwide and forcing governments to rethink their energy strategies. Japan, for instance, has begun restarting reactors post-Fukushima, and Germany’s coalition government is re-evaluating its nuclear phase-out. In the United States, a push to quadruple nuclear capacity has been set in motion.
Foreign experts like Mark Cancian have highlighted Taiwan’s energy dependency—over 95% of its power comes from imported coal, gas, and oil—as its “weakest link” in the face of potential pressure or a blockade from China. The Maanshan referendum was seen by many as a critical step toward strengthening this vulnerability. However, the vote’s failure to pass reflects not only ongoing concerns about nuclear safety but also the deeply political nature of the energy debate.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s struggle to ramp up renewable energy has fallen short of its own targets. In the first half of 2025, renewables produced only 13% of electricity, well below the 20% goal. This leaves the island heavily reliant on natural gas (46.2%) and coal (35%), sources that are both susceptible to geopolitical disruption and contribute to carbon emissions. The government’s decision to raise electricity prices, while necessary to modernize the grid, has also placed a greater burden on consumers and industries alike.
The Maanshan referendum results, while a setback for nuclear proponents, underscore a broader and more fundamental challenge: the speculative nature of the AI market itself. While the current boom has created unprecedented demand for computing power and, by extension, electricity, the field remains immature. Governance, standardization, and regulations are still in their infancy, making it difficult to predict whether this voracious demand will continue to expand indefinitely. The Maanshan vote reveals Taiwan’s precarious position—balancing its immediate energy needs with a long-term strategy built on an industry whose future is not yet fully guaranteed.
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms
Taiwan will vote on restarting a nuclear reactor as power demand surges from AI
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