Hundreds of people gathered in Taiwan to protest the restart of the Fu-kung No. 3 Nuclear Power Plant, as a referendum on the issue approaches. Environmental groups and opposition parties joined the demonstration, chanting slogans against the continued operation of the plant and calling for a nuclear-free future. The march began at National Taiwan University, proceeded through Freedom Square, and concluded at the Legislative Yuan, where public awareness events were held.

A notable participant was a 17-year-old student, who expressed deep concern about living under the constant anxiety of a potential nuclear disaster linked to earthquakes. He emphasized that his generation does not want to face a choice between forgetting or accepting such disasters.

The demonstration precedes the referendum scheduled for August 23, which will determine whether the third nuclear power plant will continue to operate after obtaining approval from regulatory authorities and confirming it is free of safety concerns. Eligible voters are citizens of Taiwan aged 18 and above, not under guardianship, and residing continuously in Taiwan for at least six months.

Regional Perspective

This protest highlights the growing divide in Taiwan regarding the future of nuclear energy, especially given the region's inherent seismic risks. The concerns of the youth reflect a desire for a safe and sustainable future, free from the anxieties associated with nuclear disasters. These actions coincide with broader political discussions about energy policy, with critics targeting political rhetoric that focuses on populism rather than technical expertise on complex energy issues.

Immediate Implications

What happens next: The referendum will take place on August 23, and its outcome will be decisive for the future of the Fu-kung No. 3 Nuclear Power Plant.
Time-sensitive opportunities or risks: For investors and companies in the energy sector, the referendum's outcome will have a direct impact on future investment planning in renewable energy and energy infrastructure in Taiwan. Public opinion and political decisions should be closely monitored.

Analysis

The protest and the surrounding debate over the restart of the Fu-kung No. 3 Nuclear Power Plant illustrate Taiwan's challenges in balancing energy needs with environmental and safety concerns. Environmentalists and opposition parties strongly criticize what they perceive as the politicization of energy decisions, arguing that such decisions should be based on purely scientific and technical considerations, especially regarding nuclear waste disposal and handling seismic risks. The critique of political rhetoric lacking technical solutions, such as the idea of drilling nuclear waste kilometers deep into crystalline rock, also raises questions about the quality of public debate on critical energy issues. The youth's desire for a nuclear-anxiety-free future reflects a global trend towards renewable energy, putting pressure on governments to reassess their long-term energy strategies.