ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Jan. 31 that safety is the paramount issue in determining when Taiwan’s Lungmen nuclear power plant goes on line as the country moves toward becoming a nuclear-free homeland.
“No safety, no power plant,” Ma said. “The government is committed to ensuring nuclear safety in Taiwan by maintaining the strictest standards.”
Ma made the remarks while receiving a delegation of atomic energy experts led by Andre-Claude Lacoste, former head of France’s Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Also attending were Isabelle Forest, deputy head of ASN international affairs, and Olivier Richard, director of the French Office in Taipei.
According to Ma, additional inspections and improvement work are under way to ensure Taiwan’s three existing nuclear plants—Chinshan and Kuosheng in New Taipei City, and Maanshan in Pingtung County—incorporate adequate safety controls and minimize the chances of falling prey to a Fukushima-style disaster.
Concerning Lungmen in New Taipei City, which is still under construction, Ma said international nuclear safety organizations will be invited to conduct comprehensive inspections and evaluations before it begins commercial operation.
In addition, Ma said, Taiwan employed European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group standards to produce a national report last year. The document received a positive response from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency, which is dispatching a group of experts to Taiwan for related inspections, he added.
According to the president, government nuclear safety efforts are in line with his energy policy unveiled Nov. 3, 2011. This outlined a commitment to establishing a nuclear-free homeland by adhering to the principles of zero power rationing, maintaining stable electricity prices and reducing carbon dioxide emissions to meet international goals.
Ma praised France as a world leader in nuclear power technology with well-rounded safety control and management mechanisms. He also expressed hope that Lacoste, who is set to chair the sixth meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Convention on Nuclear Safety next year, will help promote Taiwan-EU and Taiwan-IAEA cooperation on nuclear safety.
“The issue to ensure nuclear safety transcends borders,” Ma said. “Taiwan is willing to cooperate and share its experiences with other countries on global nuclear safety.” (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw