Taiwan's ruling party is edging back toward nuclear power, which is good news for industry and AI data centers but awkward for the DPP's anti-nuclear base before year-end local elections.

• President Lai Ching-te said the No. 2 and No. 3 nuclear plants meet the conditions for restart, and Taipower has started the process.
• The economics ministry quietly posted a 2030 energy transition white paper that puts nuclear back into the discussion — with no press release or briefing.
• The driver is electricity: AI computing centers need far more power than planned, plus worries about energy security as tensions with China grow.
• The party is nervous about voters near the plants in New Taipei and Pingtung, so Pingtung's No. 3 plant is the likely first move.
• Any restart still has to clear three conditions: safety, a solution for nuclear waste, and public agreement.

Outlook: Taipower's own safety checks will take a year and a half to two years before the nuclear regulator even begins its review, so no restart is close.