Taiwan has closed its penultimate nuclear reactor in a move that increases the island’s dependence on energy imports and raises questions about its energy security amid rising tensions with China.

This closure is despite ongoing discussions about extending the life of existing nuclear reactors amid fears that this will affect the advanced chip industry, which is considered the cornerstone of the Taiwanese economy.

Although nuclear energy currently represents only 5% of Taiwan’s energy mix, its closure puts additional pressure on the energy grid, especially with the increasing demand for electricity.

Taiwan is seeking to increase its share of renewable energy, but experts warn that this transition may take a long time and may not be enough to meet the growing energy demand.

These developments raise concerns about Taiwan’s ability to maintain its energy security amid potential threats from China, which may exploit Taiwan’s dependence on energy imports to pressure it politically.

The decision to close nuclear reactors in Taiwan came after the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, which raised major concerns about the safety of nuclear energy.

Despite this, some experts believe that nuclear energy can play an important role in achieving carbon neutrality, especially since it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions.