President Lai says energy policy won't be decided by ideology

Oct 09, 2026

Taiwan's president signaled a more pragmatic, open-ended energy policy — neutral-to-positive for industry and for anyone worried about power shortages, and a quiet softening of the anti-nuclear line.

  • In his National Day address, Lai Ching-te said energy choices will be judged on science, legal process and safety standards, not ideology.
  • The stated goals are stable electricity supply, energy security and reaching net zero.
  • The plan leans on more green power, battery storage, energy saving and a tougher, more resilient grid.
  • Lai added that policy cannot rest on slogans, and that short-term gain won't be traded away against long-term sustainability.
  • The wider speech also covered the falling birth rate, drugs, regional peace, US-China relations and Taiwan's priority industries.

Outlook: The language leaves the door open to keeping or restarting nuclear plants, which will likely dominate Taiwan's energy debate in the months ahead.

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