In a nationwide vote on November 24, a majority of voters supported a national referendum to extend the use of nuclear power in Taiwan, in part because air quality has recently emerged as an issue of popular concern. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Kolas Yotaka on Tuesday noted that the original amendment to the Electricity Act requiring the decommissioning of all nuclear power plants by 2025 was passed by the Legislature in response to the public's desire to achieve a nuclear-free homeland in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
The result of the referendum will be respected, said Spokesperson Kolas, and thus Article 95 Paragraph 1 will be struck from the Electricity Act in order to eliminate the mandated deadline for ending the use of nuclear power in Taiwan. She also said that ensuring a stable supply of electricity is a prime government responsibility, regardless of source. With this goal in mind, the government will continue the active development of renewable energy. As for whether or not any nuclear power plants will be restarted, the spokesperson said that the responsible ministries and agencies have already been directed to re-evaluate energy policy. Nevertheless, the Executive Yuan will uphold the passage of the referendum and respect the will of the voters.