Taiwan Power Co (Taipower) has launched a tender for a contract worth up to TWD 11.26 billion ($356 million) for the shipment and reprocessing of used nuclear fuel abroad.

Pre-operational tests have been successfully completed at unit 1 of the Lungmen nuclear power plant in Taiwan. However, start-up of the reactor has been delayed until a national referendum, not expected for up to another three years.

The government of Taiwan has announced that unit 1 of the Lungmen nuclear power plant will be mothballed once pre-operational safety checks are completed. Construction of unit 2, meanwhile, will be suspended immediately. A referendum will be held later to decide the plant's fate.

The Lungmen nuclear power plant could be in operation by the end of this year or early next year, according to reported statements from Taiwanese planners.

Taiwan should update the assessment of all natural hazards that could affect its nuclear power plants, notably for earthquakes and tsunamis, the European Commission has recommended.

A parliamentary vote in Taiwan on whether to hold a referendum on the completion of the Lungmen nuclear power plant descended into a brawl between opposing parties.

UPDATED: Typhoon Soulik has left Taipower's Chinshan 2 offline and in need of repair as the utility works to restore power to all parts of Taiwan, most of which suffered blackouts during the storm.

No life extensions will be granted to Taipower's existing nuclear power plants in a newly announced nuclear energy policy that promises eventually to make the island 'nuclear-free'.