A referendum in Taiwan aimed at re-opening the Maanshan nuclear power plant failed to meet the required legal threshold, reported Reuters.   

Proposed by Taiwan People's Party and backed by the Kuomintang the, the plebiscite sought reliable power and less reliance on imports.  

Despite a majority vote, the legal requirement was unmet, keeping the plant closed. 

Some 4.3 million people supported the re-opening, but it fell short of the five million needed for approval, the report said citing the data from the Central Election Commission. 

The Maanshan nuclear power plant was shut in May as the country shifts to renewables and liquefied natural gas. 

Taiwan's government also cites safety concerns due to earthquakes and nuclear waste.  

President Lai Ching-te acknowledged the need for diverse energy options and did not rule out future nuclear energy if safety improves.  

“If in the future, the technology becomes safer, nuclear waste is reduced, and societal acceptance increases, we will not rule out advanced nuclear energy,” he said. 

Last month, the first block of the Hsinta power plant, operated by Taiwan Power Company Nan Bu Construction Organization, began operations.  

Equipped with GE Vernova's 7HA.03 combined cycle equipment, the block can dispatch 1.3 gigawatts (GW) to Taiwan's grid. 

It marked a shift towards replacing coal-fired units at the Hsinta site.  

The H-class blocks are expected to reduce emissions by 60%, aligning with Taiwan's environmental objectives.  

Two more blocks at Hsinta are set to begin operations in 2025 and 2026, increasing the plant's total capacity to 4GW for Taiwanese homes and industries. 

Also last month, Ørsted secured financing of T$90bn ($3.08bn) for the development of the Greater Changhua 2 offshore wind farm in Taiwan. 

Situated between 50 and 60 kilometers off the coast of Changhua County in Taiwan, the Greater Changhua 2 wind farm has a capacity of 632 megawatts (MW).  

It comprises the already operational Greater Changhua 2a and the under-construction Greater Changhua 2b, with full completion anticipated by late 2025.