Taiwan plans to include small modular reactors and nuclear fusion in new energy exploration

Taiwan's administrative agency head Cho Jung-tai stated on August 26 that, in response to the rapid global development of energy technologies, Taiwan maintains an open attitude toward new nuclear energy technologies and has gradually invested in research and evaluation of directions such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and nuclear fusion. Relevant budgets have been included in discussions, and the central government's general budget for the next fiscal year also plans to allocate funds for engaging with and tracking global nuclear fusion technology progress.

Cho Jung-tai stated at a new energy forum that day that, for Taiwan, energy types that have not yet entered large-scale commercial application or whose research and development technologies are still immature can all be regarded as targets for new energy exploration. In addition to technologies such as geothermal, small hydropower, and hydrogen energy, new nuclear energy has also been listed as a direction for future sustained observation and research.

Regarding SMRs, Cho Jung-tai stated that Taiwan has previously expressed willingness to openly discuss various technologies and has allocated some budget, hoping to align with international advanced technologies. Currently, global SMR technology routes are relatively diverse, mainly including designs such as light water reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. The Xe-100 developed by X-energy in the United States adopts the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor approach; the BWRX-300 advanced by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy continues boiling water reactor technology, and the Darlington project in Ontario, Canada has entered the construction phase; Westinghouse's AP300 adopts pressurized water reactor technology, scaled down based on the AP1000 design, with a single-unit generating capacity of approximately 300 megawatts.

In addition to SMRs, Taiwan has also begun building its own nuclear fusion research capabilities. Taiwan's science and technology authority has supported the integrated project "Magnetic Confinement High-Temperature Plasma Research" since 2023, with relevant Taiwanese research institutions and universities collaborating to build the FIRST, the first domestically developed small spherical tokamak research device. The project has now entered its second phase, with system integration expected to be completed in 2026 and operational testing to commence in 2027. Research priorities include magnetic field stability control of plasma and extending plasma confinement time.

Global nuclear fusion technology is also advancing toward commercial validation. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is currently the world's largest tokamak nuclear fusion experimental project, aiming to integrate the key technologies required for future nuclear fusion power plants. Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) in the United States is building the SPARC high-field tokamak device in Massachusetts, targeting the provision of approximately 400 megawatts of electricity by the early 2030s.

Regarding whether existing nuclear power units will be restarted, Cho Jung-tai stated that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant is currently undergoing relevant assessments in accordance with procedures. Taiwan Power Company must submit a restart plan and independent safety inspection, subject to review by the nuclear safety regulatory authority, while also evaluating the feasibility of equipment upgrades and the introduction of new technologies to confirm whether the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant meets the conditions for restart.

Cho Jung-tai stated that Taiwan continues to uphold the three principles regarding nuclear power: "nuclear safety without concern, nuclear waste with a solution, and social consensus." Under the existing power construction plans, Taiwan will continue to track the development of new nuclear energy technologies such as SMRs and nuclear fusion, preparing in advance for future energy options.