TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Economic Affairs has completed a report on the status of two former nuclear plants, concluding a reactivation could be possible in 2027 at the earliest, reports said Friday.

As advocated for years by the Democratic Progressive Party government, Taiwan became a nuclear-free homeland this year when the nation’s third nuclear plant was switched off in May. However, concern about energy shortages, especially in the event of a blockade by China, has led some to ask for a review of the non-nuclear policy.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs said a report completed Thursday found that nuclear power plants No. 2 in New Taipei and No. 3 in Pingtung could be fit for a restart. State electricity utility Taiwan Power Company will submit a reactivation plan with the Nuclear Safety Commission next March, per CNA.

A safety review of the No. 3 plant, also known as Maanshan plant, requires 18 months to two years. The nuclear fuel used at the No. 2 plant still needs to be removed from the reactor in a process lasting longer than with the No. 3 plant, the ministry said.

The report had also included the No. 1 nuclear power plant in New Taipei, but it was no longer suited for reactivation. The reactors had stopped functioning at least eight years ago, while essential equipment had been dismantled, or was too old, the report said. 

The ministry also pointed out that the plant was the same type as the one involved in the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

At the No. 2 nuclear plant, repair and maintenance work had been proceeding as before, but as the reactors were shut off two years ago, a long period of preparation would be needed before a restart. The No. 3 plant still had all the equipment present and under maintenance, making it suitable for reactivation.

The next phase of the review required Taipower to draw up a plan for the restart and consider safety aspects including the plants’ resistance to earthquakes. The company needed to estimate how many years the equipment at the plants could continue functioning, and what if any reinforcement was required.

The ministry said it would demand Taipower applied international standards to its safety review by asking for inspections by overseas experts. The opinion of the Nuclear Safety Commission, after it received Taipower’s plans next March would be crucial, while there also should be a higher degree of public consensus, according to the ministry.