Taiwan pushes nuclear-free agenda amid growing energy demands

The Presidential Office has established the “National Climate Change Committee,” comprising members from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. While divergent opinions are expected, the president has not imposed any restrictions on the direction of discussions. However, as Taiwan’s highest administrative body, the Executive Yuan has affirmed that the country must progress towards a “nuclear-free homeland” in accordance with the law, and discussions on extending the operational life of Nuclear Plant No. 3 are not on the table.

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Taiwan eyes tech growth, strengthening supply chain amid AI boom

Amid the rise of generative AI and global supply chain restructuring, Taiwan’s exports to the United States and ASEAN have surged to unprecedented levels. In August 2024, Taiwan’s exports to the US reached a record US$11.89 billion, with cumulative exports for January to August hitting all-time highs of US$75.45 billion to the US and US$56.33 billion to ASEAN. Premier Jung-Tai Cho emphasized the need for Taiwan to enhance supply chain resilience in light of these developments.

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Intel’s EUR10 billion semiconductor plant stalls amid German chips and batteries budget battle

Intel’s EUR10 billion (approx. US$10.5 billion) semiconductor plant in Magdeburg, Germany, has hit a major roadblock as the country faces a critical budget tug-of-war between funding cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing and advancing lithium battery technology. The delay in Intel’s project, originally slated to be a key pillar of Europe’s semiconductor ambitions, underscores growing tension within the German government over resource allocation.

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Semiconductor expansion clashes with Taiwan’s strained renewable energy supply

Taiwan’s renewable energy sector has been hit hard by strict government regulations, causing significant delays in system installations. Market forecasts suggest that recovery may not come until mid-2025. Yet, demand is swelling, fueled by the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing and the influx of AI data centers, creating a paradoxical situation where green energy supply is constrained despite booming demand.

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