Key Facts
• Taiwan held a referendum on August 23, 2025, regarding nuclear power plant restart.
• The referendum followed Taiwan’s May 2025 achievement of “zero nuclear power.”
• The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) initiated the nuclear phase-out after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
• The opposition argued nuclear power is essential for stable electricity supply.
• Majority voted in favor of restarting nuclear plants but failed to meet the 5 million-vote threshold.
• President Lai Ching-te acknowledged the result and emphasized diverse energy needs.
Summary
Taiwan conducted a referendum on August 23, 2025, to decide whether to restart its nuclear power plants, which were shut down as part of the government’s “zero nuclear power” policy implemented in May 2025. This policy was driven by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. While the majority of voters supported restarting the plants, the referendum failed to meet the required 5 million-vote threshold for approval. President Lai Ching-te respected the outcome and highlighted the importance of addressing Taiwan’s diverse energy demands. The result reflects ongoing debates over energy stability and environmental concerns in Taiwan.
