Taiwan's War on Renewables [Fully Produced Radio Show!]

Taiwan’s energy security faces an existential threat as the island remains 97% dependent on imported energy, primarily liquefied natural gas (LNG) vulnerable to potential blockades. The Democratic Progressive Party’s long-standing "non-nuclear homeland" policy, which mandated the phase-out of nuclear power by 2025, failed to meet renewable energy targets, leaving the grid strained by surging demand from the semiconductor and AI sectors. Corruption within the renewable sector, characterized by opaque permitting and "green energy cockroaches," has further hindered progress. While President Lai Ching-de recently signaled a potential restart of decommissioned nuclear plants, the island remains caught between an uncompetitive, state-controlled electricity monopoly and the physical limitations of its landmass. Solving this crisis requires a comprehensive shift toward a diversified energy mix, including baseload nuclear, standardized permitting, and market-based pricing to curb industrial demand.