As Japan's nuclear crisis keeps escalating, the safety of Taiwan's four nuclear power plants has once again come under close scrutiny of the public.

Now experts and environmental groups have raised a growing number of concerns over potential nuclear disasters on the island, which the government cannot afford to ignore.

Two years ago, Hengchun's nuclear power plant saw a transformer catch fire and while there was no damage to the nuclear reactor, there was lots of smoke with many worrying about a crisis and possible explosion.

At present, Taiwan has built four nuclear power plants, with nuclear power being in place for more than three decades already.

Few accidents and system failures have occurred, leading some people to call for a stop regarding the construction of nuclear power plants.

Of Taiwan's four nuclear power plants, three are located in northeast Taiwan.

Just one is in the south, as each is built at a height of 12 to 15 meters above sea level, with the first nuclear power plant being able to resist seismic intensity of 0.37g, and the second and third and fourth being able to resist 0.47g.

The Atomic Energy Council says that they could withstand at least a level 6 earthquake. However, the Japanese nuclear power plants could withstand 0.6g which was not equal to a level 9 earthquake.

The council said it would propose a review to see if reinforcing was needed to strengthen the overall structure.

Taiwan is still burning coal, fuel oil, and thermal power as its main power source accounting for more than 70% of power.

Nuclear power only accounts for 20% leading environmental groups to question whether theses plants are necessary.

In particular, with New Taipei City having 3 nuclear power plants and 6 reactors, some worry that the density may be too high.

Geological experts are also worried that the first and second nuclear plant are located at faults near the foot of the Taipei Basin.

And with another plant located only two kilometers away from the Hengchun fault, and the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant site six kilometers inside an inactive fault, they fear the consequences of a strong earthquake.

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