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Decision postponed on No. 1 nuclear power plant service extension

ROC Central News Agency

2011/03/17 22:50:51

By Lin Shu-yuan and S.C. Chang

Taipei, March 17 (CNA) The government will wait for an international review of Japan's Fukushima nuclear crisis before making a decision on whether to decommission the nation's first nuclear power plant in northern Taiwan, a senior official said Thursday.

Chen Kui-ming, chairman of Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower), said it will probably be a year before an international review of the Japan crisis is completed.

Taiwan's first nuclear power plant, located in Shihmen, New Taipei City, began operating in 1978 and was scheduled to be decommissioned in 2018. However, Taipower has requested Atomic Energy Council (AEC) approval to extend the service period beyond 2018 to ensure there is no disruption of the nation's power supply.

With nuclear safety a hot issue in the wake of the Fukushima crisis triggered by the March 11 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the AEC has decided to use the international community's review for reference before making a decision on the Shihmen plant.

Chen said safety is the key factor that will decide on whether to extend the plant's service or to decommission it.

"Our top concern is the safety of life and property," he said.

Chen Chao-yi, an economics official, said that in order to make a decision, the government must also take cost into account, as well as consider energy alternatives if the plant is closed.