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