Jensen Huang Backs Nuclear Power for Taiwan's AI Future

 

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has suggested that nuclear power could be a strong energy option for Taiwan, as the island braces for rising electricity demand driven by AI-driven tech manufacturing.

Speaking in Taipei, Huang said nuclear, solar, and wind should all be considered to secure Taiwan’s energy future. The remarks come just days before a referendum that will decide whether Taiwan should restart one of its shuttered nuclear reactors. Taiwan permanently closed its last nuclear power plant in May 2025, continuing a decades-long phase-out. This stands in contrast to many countries that are turning back to atomic energy to cut carbon emissions.

Key Highlights

• Nvidia CEO backs nuclear energy as Taiwan faces AI-driven power surge
• Taiwan holds a referendum on restarting nuclear reactors this week
• AI factories by Nvidia and Foxconn could strain Taiwan’s grid

The debate is particularly urgent as Nvidia and Foxconn recently announced plans to build an AI factory in Taiwan, with more projects expected. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects global electricity demand from AI and data centers could triple by 2028, with AI alone consuming power equivalent to 22 percent of all U.S. households. For Taiwan, the timing is critical—its nuclear exit coincides with the arrival of energy-hungry AI infrastructure.

Taiwan’s resistance to nuclear energy has roots deeper than the 2011 Fukushima disaster. In the 1970s and 1980s, Taiwan secretly pursued nuclear weapons capabilities, nearly reaching production capability before U.S. pressure dismantled the program. This historical sensitivity adds complexity to the current debate.

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The referendum outcome will determine whether Taiwan turns back to nuclear to secure stable baseload power for AI or relies solely on renewables and other alternatives that may struggle to meet the surge in demand.