Huaxin Chairman Jiao Youlun: Nuclear energy requires consensus and even more "leadership"

President Lai Ching-te accepted an exclusive interview and talked about nuclear power again, emphasizing that there should be no ideology and any kind of energy was excluded. "If society has a consensus, we will promote it." Jiao Youlun, chairman of cable giant Walsin Lihua, said in an interview that of course society has different views and cognitions, and a consensus direction is needed, but what is more needed is leadership. He also agrees that electricity will be the lifeblood of Taiwan and the lifeblood of the world.

President Lai Ching-te was interviewed by financial program host You Ting-hao on Taiwan's economy. Regarding whether to restart nuclear power, the President said that Taipower has already begun the process of restarting nuclear power. Taiwan is a democratic country and a society governed by the rule of law. Public opinion must be respected. In the end, it is left to professionals to make the decision. Has nuclear safety met the standards? No one has any doubts about whether nuclear waste can indeed be solved. Is there a consensus in society? If there is consensus, then we will restart. If not, then of course we will wait for advanced nuclear energy.

Jiao Youlun attended the TECO 70th Anniversary Forum to focus on AI and future energy. When asked about Taiwan's nuclear energy policy during an interview, Chiao said that in addition to building consensus on energy policy, the president also needs to show firm "leadership" to set the direction.

Recently, Taiwan also announced its purchase of Alaskan natural gas from the United States. He believes that natural gas is indeed a short-term transitional solution. "But what will Taiwan rely on in ten years?" Chiao stressed that in the long-term layout, nuclear power will become the main force in the world, and both traditional nuclear power and new SMR (small nuclear energy) should be explored simultaneously. In addition, whether it is wind power or nuclear power, it is good electricity.

As for the noise in offshore wind power bidding, Jiao Youlun specifically mentioned that because Taiwan's land resources are limited, but the sea area is larger than the land area, and Taiwan's wind farms are among the best in the world, it cannot be without wind power.

Jiao Youlun also echoed Pegatron Chairman Tong Zixian’s argument that the current proportion of green power generation in Taiwan is very low. As relevant regulations such as the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) advance, many countries will put forward more requirements, and society will find that we cannot live without green power. “Nuclear power and wind power cannot be replaced.”

Jiao Youlun pointed out that the current price of wind power, which is about 4 yuan, is relatively high. It may be very cheap in 10 years. If it is balanced with nuclear power, it will be helpful to Taiwan’s electricity prices. He also said that localization is not protection, but a safety issue. Localization of wind power will definitely reduce costs. In the short term, there may be many misunderstandings in the outside world. Huaxin's investment in submarine cables is not solely for wind power generation. Submarine cables are also of significance to Taiwan's long-term strategy.