Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said nuclear power could be a strong energy option for Taiwan, as the island faces rising electricity demand from AI-driven tech manufacturing.

He made the comments during an airport briefing in Taipei, noting that nuclear, solar, and wind should all be considered to meet Taiwan’s energy needs.

Taiwan shut its last nuclear plant in May after decades of moving away from atomic energy, but a referendum set for Saturday will decide whether to restart one reactor.

A similar vote in 2021 upheld the closure of another plant.

Taiwan’s phase-out of nuclear energy stands out as other countries turn to atomic power to cut carbon emissions.

The energy debate is key for Taiwan, which is a major production base for global tech firms seeking cheaper power sources.

Nvidia recently announced plans to build an AI factory in Taiwan with Foxconn, with more such facilities expected.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Taiwan’s nuclear hesitancy stems from decades-old security concerns beyond Fukushima

Taiwan’s current nuclear resistance has deeper historical roots than the 2011 Fukushima disaster that’s commonly cited.

From the late 1960s to late 1980s, Taiwan secretly developed nuclear weapons capabilities, with the program reaching a point where the country was “within three to six months of being able to produce nuclear weapons ‘on demand'” by the mid-1980s2.

The U.S. ultimately pressured Taiwan to dismantle this program, including returning plutonium and shutting down nuclear facilities3.

This complex nuclear history helps explain why Taiwan’s move away from atomic power involves more than just safety concerns following Fukushima.

The memory of international pressure and the political sensitivity around nuclear technology adds another layer to current debates about restarting reactors.

2️⃣ AI’s explosive energy growth creates urgent timing pressure for Taiwan’s nuclear decision

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