Hsiao Hsu-tseng warns nuclear-free homeland crisis threatens Taiwan computing power

Speaking in Tainan, Hsiao Hsu-tsen reiterated that energy independence is the cornerstone of national security and industrial development. As the Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang, he pointed out that "whether electricity is sufficient affects national security" and criticized the "nuclear-free homeland" policy, arguing that a lack of adequate power will weaken computing power and national strength, thereby hindering industrial upgrading and technological innovation.

In Taiwan, the energy mix had long relied primarily on nuclear power, until the "nuclear-free homeland" policy was officially announced in 2018 and the final nuclear power plant was decommissioned in 2021. While this move aligns with environmental protection and public safety considerations, it has also caused electricity supply to face shortages and fluctuations. Hsiao Hsu-tsen noted that insufficient power supply will directly impact high-energy-consumption sectors such as the semiconductor industry, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, thereby undermining Taiwan's competitiveness in the global technology chain.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen's remarks also resonated with the backdrop of the upcoming 2024 presidential election. In its electoral platform, the Kuomintang has emphasized "energy security" and "industrial upgrading" as key issues, hoping to enhance the flexibility and reliability of power supply by strengthening renewable energy and energy storage technologies. In contrast, the Democratic Progressive Party continues to promote a nuclear-free homeland and green energy transition, while adopting more proactive compensatory measures in its energy policy. Hsiao Hsu-tsen's remarks were an attempt to persuade voters to reassess the impact of the nuclear-free policy on national security and economic development.

Additionally, Hsiao Hsu-tsen brought up the perspective that "without sufficient electricity, there is no computing power or national strength," calling on the government to balance environmental protection with practical demands in its energy policy. Taiwan still has significant room for improvement in energy storage and smart grid construction; accelerating related infrastructure will help balance the intermittent nature of renewable energy and ensure the continuous operation of industries. This viewpoint also echoes international trends, as many advanced countries emphasize the integration of energy security and digitization during their energy transition processes to maintain national competitiveness.

Finally, Hsiao Hsu-tsen's remarks are not only a critique of energy policy, but also a profound appeal regarding Taiwan's future industrial layout and national defense security. If power supply is unstable, it will directly affect military equipment, communication networks, and national information security, further weakening the nation's overall defense and economic resilience. When facing the global energy crisis and technological race, Taiwan must find a balance between energy independence and environmental protection, ensuring that power supply and computing power demands increase simultaneously in order to maintain national strength and international competitiveness.

(Source: Central News Agency)