In Taiwan, AI boom prompts doubts about ditching nuclear power

Taiwan just voted to let nuclear plants extend their lifespans—right as it prepares to shut down its last reactor this Sunday. Why? Because the island’s AI-fueled chip boom, led by TSMC, is set to spike electricity demand by 13 percent by 2030. Here’s the twist: TSMC alone may use as much power as 6 million people. For the paper packaging industry, this energy crunch could delay green transitions like electric forklifts and low-carbon pulping. If chipmakers hog the grid, energy costs for packaging firms could soar, squeezing margins and slowing sustainability goals.https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/5/15/in-taiwan-ai-boom-prompts-doubts-about-ditching-nuclear-power

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