There are currently 4 BWR reactors and 2 PWR reactors operated at 3 sites by the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower or TPC). It had been planned to privatise TPC, but these plans have since been abandoned.

Plans to develop 2 units at a fourth reactor site, at Lungmen, 50 Km east of Taipei which had previously been delayed for 6 years by public opposition, were revived in 1992. There was further intense parliamentary debate in 1996, amid violent public rallies, followed by the granting of a construction permit in early 1999. In May 2000 a presidential panel was appointed to examine the arguments for and against the completion of the 2 reactors. The panel included representatives from the authorities, as well as environmental organisations and citizen groups. The panel's report, submitted at the end of September 2000, recommended termination of the project, with replacement of the generating capacity by the use of alternative energy sources. Construction is however still underway.

The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) is the overall regulator and decision maker, and the Radwaste Administration (RWA) was set up as an AEC subsidiary in 1981, with 2 responsibilities, to act as the regulatory body of radwaste management in general and as operator of the Lan-Yu storage site for LLW (see below). This latter function was given to TPC in 1990, when the government issued the Radwaste Management Guidelines (RWMG) which assigned waste producers responsibilities to condition, transport, store and dispose of their own wastes and to pay all the relevant expenses. 1996 the RWA changes its name to the Fuel Cycle and Materials Administration (FCMA).

The Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Law was promulgated by the government on 25th December 2002. This provides a regulatory framework for all aspects of waste management, treatment, storage and disposal, as well as nuclear facility decommissioning. It confirms the responsibility for such activities lies with the waste producers, in particular, Taipower.

Management of LLW
Liquid and gaseous wastes are stored at the reactor sites for short periods to allow for decay of short-lived radionuclides and are then disposed of to the atmosphere and sea. Solid wastes, which are split into dry-active and wet wastes, are cemented and drummed. In the past, drummed LLW from the NPP's was sent for interim storage to a covered shallow trench facility at Lan-Yu Island, which has been in operation since 1982. The capacity of that (98,112 drums), was fully utilised by 1997. There are some 23 shallow trenches at the site. Because of the delays in moving the wastes to a permanent facility (see below), a repackaging process began in February 2004, involving construction of a secondary warehouse store.

It had originally been planned to extend the Lan-Yu facility, but after intense public opposition, mainly by the native Yami people living on the island, the government announced in July 1996 that this would not happen. A site has still to be found, and no waste has yet been moved from Lan-Yu, despite repeated public protests. Government announced in February 2007 that 4 sites are being examined and a single site will be chosen in late 2008.

In July 2004 draft regulations outlining a repository siting process were published for consultation. It was hoped to pass a Law by end-2004. This would signal the beginning of a 5-step process, lasting up to 10 years. In the event, the draft was only approved by the cabinet in mid-2005, and must now be passed in the Legislative Yuan. Under the new Law, a repository site must be selected within 5 years, by TPC working together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Management of Spent Fuel

Chinshan produces approx. 40 MtU per year (230 assemblies); Kuosheng produces approx. 72 MtU (416 assemblies) and Maanshan some 40 MtU (96 assemblies).

It has been decided to develop dry storage facilities at Chinshan and Kuosheng, and these will be operational in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

TPC examined the suitability for repository development of all areas and rock types in Taiwan between 1986-88, and conducted some limited site-specific studies 1988-90, as well as producing conceptual disposal designs. These all envisage a deep facility, possibly utilising several levels, to minimise the potential effects of seismicity.