Nuclear not the only energy optionBy Lin Ren-bin 林仁斌The South Korean government has announced that it is to construct large-scale nuclear power units and accelerate the development of small modular reactors between 2035 and 2038. Energy policy has never been about green lighting construction projects on a whim, nor can it be solved by relying on technology alone. Nuclear power can indeed provide stable baseload electricity, but it requires high construction costs and long development timelines. With the rapid advancement of renewable energy and energy storage technologies, nuclear power is no longer the only solution to energy issues. If South Korea chooses nuclear energy as its long-term energy supply strategy — but lacks transparent institutions, risk management and public consensus — it risks repeating other nations’ experiences of high costs and governance pitfalls.

Source: Taipei Times February 26, 2026 16:20 UTC