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 2000.10.01 2:13am Taiwan time updated Taiwan Backs Clean, Green Energy, Plans to Scrap Nuclear PlantTAIPEI, Sept 30 (AFP) - Taiwan will continue to pursue natural and renewable energy sources until nuclear power becomes a safe alternative, economic minister Lin Hsin-i said on Saturday. The economic ministry had proposed scrapping the islands' fourth nuclear power plant, already more than 30 percent complete, and estimated to cost 5.6 billion US dollars. Lin said that public fears over nuclear safety and difficulties in disposing of waste had led to the department's suggestion."We will not give up the alternative power project before nuclear waste can be properly handled...we cannot leave the nuclear waste to our children," Lin told reporters. Prime Minister Tang Fei said the fate of the nuclear plant would be decided at the end of October after the cabinet had reviewed a re-evaluation report from the ministry. The state-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has spent 48 billion Taiwan dollars (1.5 billion US) on initial-stage construction of the plant since March 1999. The ministry estimated that calling off the project -- 30 percent complete at the end of February -- would cost Taipower up to 90.3 billion Taiwan dollars (2.9 billion US) in losses. The government would accelerate construction of a natural gas plant by Taipower and push for private power plants to replace the nuclear plant, Lin said. "We are sure these alternative power projects are feasible. There would be difficulties but I believe we can overcome them," he said. Taipower currently operates three nuclear power plants which account for 18 percent of the company's total capacity of 28,927 megawatts. Thermal power accounts for 72 percent and hydroelectric power 10 percent. Taiwan will be nuclear free after the current three nuclear power plants are shut down in 2025, Lin added. High-tech and manufacturing industries had complained about an insufficient and unstable power supply, which they said had increased their operating costs. The controversial project of a two-reactor nuclear plant with a capacity of 2,700 megawatts was pushed through by then-ruling Kuomintang government, despite violent protests by villagers and environmentalists. The current ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which seized power in the presidential polls on March 18, had promised to kill the project. Chen, from the DPP, had promised in his campaign manifesto to call off the project.
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