Taiwan has entered a new chapter in its energy policy: with the shutdown of the last operating nuclear power plant in May 2025, the country has officially exited from the commercial use of nuclear energy.

As a result, the safe and efficient decommissioning of existing facilities is now moving into focus.

To explore opportunities for cooperation, our colleagues Thomas Seipolt and Phillip Thalmann recently travelled to Taiwan for strategic discussions with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). The talks centred on knowledge sharing, the preparation of future decommissioning projects, and NUKEM’s proven technologies for reactor decommissioning and spent fuel management.

During the visit, NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH (NUKEM) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nuclear Science & Technology Association (NuSTA). This agreement strengthens international collaboration and paves the way for closer technical exchange between Germany, Japan, and Taiwan in the field of nuclear decommissioning.

“We at NUKEM are truly delighted to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with the Nuclear Science & Technology Association. Nuclear facility decommissioning is a highly demanding international challenge that requires advanced technologies and the strictest safety standards, and it is of great significance that expertise and experience are shared across nations.

By combining the cutting-edge decommissioning technologies, we have cultivated in Germany with the knowledge and expertise developed within Japan’s industry and research community, we aim to contribute to the safe and efficient progress of decommissioning in Taiwan.

This collaboration goes beyond technical exchange - it represents an important step in deepening international partnerships. NUKEM is committed to strengthening its relationship with NuSTA and actively contributing to the realization of a sustainable and safe energy future for Taiwan.”

- Ninomiya Nobuaki, Managing Director

About ITRI

Founded in 1973, ITRI is a non-profit research institution that has played a key role in Taiwan’s industrial and technological development. Among its achievements are:

• the co-founding of world-leading technology companies such as TSMC, UMC, and Epistar,
• more than 30,000 patents,
• cutting-edge advances in semiconductors, AI, green energy, and smart healthcare.

Actively engaged on the international stage, ITRI has established a UK office and participates in global forums such as APEC PPSTI, positioning Taiwan as a driving force in sustainable innovation and high-tech manufacturing.

ITRI and Taiwan’s Energy Future

In the field of nuclear infrastructure, ITRI holds a key role. As part of a national consortium for decommissioning and storage projects, it contributes through:

• engineering design and planning,
• collaboration with international partners on dry storage solutions,
• participation in governmental tenders for decommissioning and storage.

With this dual role as a technology incubator and strategic partner, ITRI is not only shaping the high-tech industry but also actively contributing to Taiwan’s energy transition and modernization of its infrastructure.

For NUKEM, this cooperation opens up valuable opportunities to contribute our decades of experience in decommissioning and radioactive waste management - supporting Taiwan in taking the next step in its energy transformation.

NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH in Karlstein am Main, Germany, is world-wide active in the areas of management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, engineering and consulting. For more than 60 years NUKEM provides high quality products, technologies and services, where Innovation, Solutions and Excellence are closely linked.

Contact:
Bea Heinze
NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH
Zeche Gustav 6, 63791 Karlstein am Main
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.nukemtechnologies.de