The 815 Taiwan Blackout: Not an Accident but an Inevitability—Taiwan's Professionalism Is Systematically Spiraling Out of Control

While having lunch, I heard Tsai Ing-wen standing in front of her party flag (?) delivering a national address about the 815 Taiwan blackout. One line particularly caught my attention: she said, “Regardless of what the cause of the blackout was…”

“Regardless of the cause, what matters is how we solve the problem!” It seemed to carry the stature and resolve of a leader (the latter half is my own embellishment—she merely recited the usual string of beautiful phrases about how Taiwan will be better).

But Ms. Tsai, Dr. Tsai, President Tsai—have you still not realized where the cause lies?

The cause lies with you!

For the sake of political correctness, I must first state my view on nuclear power: “I am not opposed to being anti-nuclear,” but I am also not opposed to using nuclear energy. Put it this way: everyone’s position has its own validity. I only oppose those who deviate from the basis of discussion, seek their own political interests, and oppose for the sake of opposing.

During the current period of using nuclear energy, when there is clearly no major problem, a bunch of people jump out saying they do not want nuclear power “for all sorts of reasons from their inner drama.” In my eyes, that is foolish.

At a time when nuclear power is effectively banned, a bunch of people jump out saying it is all the fault of not using nuclear power. In my eyes, that is not much better either.

Because these people have deviated from reality, pinning their hopes on a literary, beautiful future, following entirely the playbook of political science and law—which is quite an eyesore to someone from an engineering background. The energy issue should be based on rational debate grounded in science and technology, yet it has now completely degenerated into populist sophistry and accusations.

Where Exactly Lies the Problem with Taiwan’s Blackout This Time?

The problem is not some small subcontractor’s small outsourced worker’s small finger, nor whether a single button controls the life or death of a power plant, and even less some nameless lamb being fattened up. (Speaking of which, dear President Tsai, could you hurry up and decide who the scapegoat will be? Changing day by day makes it hard to write.)

The real problem lies in the “2025 Nuclear-Free Homeland” that Tsai Ing-wen and her party repeatedly promoted before the election. And it is not that a nuclear-free homeland is inherently wrong—it is that 2025, a future eight years away, creates enormous trouble.

Whether Tsai Ing-wen set the 2025 target as a slogan designed for votes and re-election or not, wanting to completely transform Taiwan’s current energy structure in just eight short years—and not gradually, but by immediately phasing out most nuclear power “now”—merely to satisfy the wishes of Tsai Ing-wen’s supporters.

So this government can only pin all its hopes of avoiding trouble on a 3–5% reserve capacity, praying to the gods and begging grandparents and grandmothers that nothing happens requiring even this tiny margin.

Finally, today CPC Corporation had a defect that had occurred before (predictable within the engineering domain), but unfortunately the tiny reserve capacity simply could not support it (because liberal-arts types meddled recklessly). The result was an immediate national security crisis with a nationwide blackout, causing Taiwan’s output value to evaporate immeasurably and exposing the severe inadequacy of Taiwan’s foundation in high-tech fields in recent years.

The 815 Taiwan blackout was not an accident, but an inevitability under the populist leadership of the current administration.

This is a ruler who would rather abandon professionalism and use political manipulation of the people’s issues, further using nuclear safety as a threat—just as chilling as mainland China’s frequent threats of military force against Taiwan.

It is truly hard to imagine that Taiwan, which has secured its place in the world almost entirely through technology and industry, can tolerate being content with a power reserve capacity of just 3%.

And then a bunch of politicians and pundits are still there spouting nonsense about whether centralized or distributed energy is better. The key point is that your reserve capacity is simply not enough! Not enough! Not enough!

Otherwise, even if distributed energy were used entirely, a single typhoon would leave you with far too little green energy to distribute! Or is your so-called distributed energy actually just having every household buy a diesel generator? Then please also tell me which listed company makes these—I will go buy their stock immediately.

Not to mention that yesterday I saw the Executive Yuan’s Forward-Looking Infrastructure Plan intending to spend NT$200 million a year researching energy storage technology (essentially batteries). If there were one more zero after it, I would believe it more. Since it is all money thrown into the water anyway, might as well budget more (and if it is too much, it could sponsor my round-the-world trip).

Why Did the Minister of Economic Affairs Resign?

In fact, those who can truly solve problems have never been these high-level officials, but rather the technocrats and frontline staff! Whether those at the top are replaced or not has little substantive impact on solving problems. As for the Minister of Economic Affairs, he bore political responsibility—not to the citizens, but to wipe his boss’s backside, ensuring his boss does not soil his pants.

As for “generating power with love”? Forget it. I had my power cut twice last night. Do not discriminate against single lions!