Taiwan regulator completes review of restart plan

The two pressurised water reactors were taken offline in July 2024 (Maanshan unit 1) and May 2025 (Maanshan unit 2) following the expiry of their 40-year operating licences, in accordance with Taiwan's nuclear phase-out policy.

But in May 2025, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act to allow nuclear plant operators to apply for a 20-year licence renewal beyond the existing 40-year limit, potentially extending a plant's operating lifespan to 60 years. Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) accordingly submitted a licence renewal application and related documents for the Maanshan plant to the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) in March this year.

Since receiving Taipower's application, the NSC said it has carried out safety reviews, on-site inspections, and sought feedback from local government as well as from local residents and civic groups. This feedback has been incorporated into the review process.

Taipower will still need to carry out follow-up work, including safety inspections, before submitting another report on implementation for review, the commission said. The NSC said it will continue to supervise and conduct on-site verifications to ensure that related procedures are implemented in accordance with the plan and regulatory requirements.

The company is also conducting self-assessment and management of aging assessments, review and evaluation of radiation-related issues, and seismic safety assessments, the NSC said. The NSC will review this work and carry out on-site verification to ensure compliance with regulations and safety requirements.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin has previously said the plant could resume operations as soon as 2028.