The world’s largest prime number has been discovered, but we can’t show it because it’s so large it would take up 21 standard-sized novels to turn into text. Called M136279841, its shorthand version is 2136,279,841-1. That comes to 41,024,320 digits.
If you remember your math lessons from school, a prime number is any number that can only be evenly divided by itself or 1. It’s one of the most basic concepts in mathematics and how they work has produced some of the most profound questions in the field, such as is there a pattern inside prime numbers? How are they distributed? What about the sum of two primes, or primes that form palindromes that read the same forward and backwards?
If this seems too esoteric, prime numbers are used every time someone uses the internet. Modern encryption techniques are based on equations with two solutions, each of which produces a prime number – one that can be used to encrypt data and the other to decrypt it.
The new largest prime number was discovered by Luke Durant of San Jose, California, who is an amateur researcher and former NVIDIA employee, on October 11, 2024 and confirmed by independent computation on October 12. However, Durant didn’t use a pencil and paper – a lot of paper, like 11,000 sheets just to write out the results, which fill up a 39.9 MB text file.
Instead, he was one of a number of volunteers who have downloaded free software to do the number crunching as part of the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) that’s been running since 1996. Today, the search is essentially a giant cloud supercomputer that is based on thousands of server GPUs, spanning 24 data center regions over 17 countries.
GPUs are an important key to the search because these graphic processors have proven to be extremely good at dealing with more than digital images. In recent years, they’ve become key to Large Language Model AIs and for the complex calculations involving prime numbers. In this case, it’s a class called Mersenne primes, which can be expressed by the formula Mn = 2n – 1, where M is the prime number and n is an integer. These have been central to number theory since the days of Euclid in Ancient Greece.
According to the GIMP organization, the new prime is 16 million digits larger than the previous record prime number and the 52nd known Mersenne prime ever discovered. As the primes become larger, they become increasingly difficult to find. The new record holder was found on an NVIDIA A100 GPU server running in Dublin, Ireland and confirmed in San Antonio, Texas, netting Durant a prize of US$3,000, which he is donating to charity.
If you’ve ever wondered how small a tiny house can actually get, this recently completed project by Levi Kelly may well provide an answer. Measuring a mere 19.46 sq ft (1.8 sq m), the extraordinarily compact dwelling showcases an ingenious approach to space-saving design.
Described as the world’s smallest tiny house, it’s based on a single-axle trailer that was adapted from a truck and has jacks to stabilize it when stationary. It consists of a stick frame structure and has a painted cedar exterior topped by roof shingles.
The interior is made up of just one room and it looks very snug in there, as you’d expect. The entrance opens onto a bench seating area that accommodates three and has integrated storage, as well as an air-conditioning heating and cooling unit stashed under it.
The kitchen is very basic but does include water tanks for freshwater and greywater, a filter and pump system, plus a water heater. A mini-fridge is installed for drinks or the occasional food item and an electric cooktop is stored in a drawer between uses. The sink has a folding tap and is covered with a cutting board insert when not in use.
The interior of the tiny house is made up of one very small room
Levi Kelly
The bedroom consists of a fold-down bed that has hooks to hold it in place up in the ceiling. It looks a little awkward to access, but the occupant needs to step onto the kitchen countertop and raise themselves into position.
So, you may be wondering, where is the bathroom? Well, for that, we need to head back outside. The front-facing wall near the entrance includes an outdoor shower, while over on the back is a storage box that contains a small camping-style toilet. Kelly notes that it could be brought inside for privacy if preferred.
The tiny house gets power from two roof-based solar panels that are hooked up to a battery to keep the juice flowing overnight, though it can also run from a standard RV-style hookup if preferred. The budget for this tiny house project came in at a surprisingly low US$5,000, however Kelly did already own the trailer so that helped keep the costs down, and, of course, he did the work himself.
Check out Kelly’s video below for a thorough walkthrough.
Rocket Lab is making innovative strides in space travel with the Neutron medium payload rocket – namely, it’s the largest composite rocket ever made. Initially, hundreds of layers and thousands of square feet of carbon fiber were laid onto a mold by hand, taking a large team several weeks to complete.
Now, with Rocket Lab’s new Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine, it can be done in a single day.
You can think of it as being similar to a 39 ft tall (12 m), 75-ton, autonomous 3D printer that spits out carbon-fiber layers at 328 ft (100 m) per minute. Instead of “printing” pieces, it lays carbon fiber sheets in various directions, layer by layer, to build strength and rigidity into each structure. The AFP is capable of traveling laterally up to 98 feet (30 meters) making it fully capable of laying the largest pieces – the 91 ft (28 m) long interstage and fairing of the Neutron rocket.
These structures would have taken weeks to hand-lay. The AFP can print these in 24 hours
Rocket Lab
The AFP is also responsible for layering the 22.9 ft (7 m) diameter first stage and the 16.4 ft (5 m) diameter second stage tank.
While working on a piece, a fully automated, built-in inspection system scans for defects or imperfections in the carbon composite structure and will pause to alert the operator before proceeding to the next layer.
SpaceX’s Starship is primarily made of stainless steel (300-series “HFS,” like the “bullet proof” stuff the Cybertruck is made of) while Boeing’s Starliner uses mostly aluminum alloys. Initially, SpaceX considered using CF composites for the Starship but opted for stainless steel for its cost-effectiveness, temperature resistance, and durability.
The AFP head spins in 360-degrees to lay CF as quickly as possible from any direction
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab expects the usage of the AFP to save over 150,000 man-hours of construction of the world’s largest composite reusable rockets by making them more affordable as well as faster and easier to produce.
According to Rocket Lab’s website, the company aims to launch the first Neutron rocket sometime in 2025.
Rocket Lab | The World’s Largest AFP Machine Of Its Kind
How would you like to have your own AT-ST walker from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi? Well, the just-announced Tron 1 biped robot is the next-best thing. It’s just a wee bit smaller than a walker, plus you can’t ride inside of it.
Manufactured by Chinese robotics company LimX Dynamics – which also makes quadruped and humanoid robots – the Tron 1 is the commercial version of the firm’s one-off P1 Biped. Earlier this year, we saw the P1 traversing rough woodland terrain and being beaten with a branch.
The Tron 1 can likewise take a beating, as it’s designed primarily for use by engineers as a testbed platform for humanoid robot motion control and embodied intelligence research. Sorry, but it is not made for fighting the Rebel Alliance.
The Tron 1 is reportedly ready to walk – or roll – right out of the box
LimX Dynamics
With its various research applications in mind, the robot comes with three interchangeable foot-ends for different types of locomotion.
One foot-end, the simple Point-Foot, takes the form of a rounded rubberized nub. It offers the nimblest performance, and was utilized by the P1 for its walk in the woods. There’s also a more foot-like Sole, for better imitating a human walking gait. Finally, there’s a Wheeled foot-end. It allows the robot to zip across flat terrain on motorized wheels, yet still climb over obstacles by locking those wheels and using them as feet.
Even with its fast-rolling Wheeled foot-end installed, the Tron 1 can still climb stairs then jump to the ground
LimX Dynamics
The Tron 1’s automatic hardware recognition system detects which foot-end is currently installed, and switches to the corresponding onboard motion-control software accordingly. Users operate the robot in real time via an included wireless remote, or use the Python programming language for autonomous operation.
As far as basic specs go, the aluminum/plastic-bodied Tron 1 stands 854 mm tall (33.6 in), weighs less than 20 kg (44 lb), sports a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, and should be good for over two hours of runtime per 1.5-hour charge of its lithium battery. Expansion ports allow for the addition of peripherals such as cameras, radar/lidar units, and robotic arms.
Should you want a Tron 1 of your own, limited-time introductory pricing starts at US$15,000. You can see the robot in multi-modal action, in the video below.
LimX Dynamics Launches Multi-Modal Biped Robot TRON 1
In collaboration with to.org, Counterspace, led by Sumayya Vally, has revealed its latest project, “Regenerate Kakuma,” aimed at promoting holistic well-being in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements in Kakuma, Kenya. This regenerative wellness and fitness hub blends fitness, agriculture, and cultural spaces for over 285,000 refugees. The settlement, known as one of the largest globally, primarily hosts individuals from 19 countries, including South Sudan and Somalia.
+ 1
The project is inspired by the unique cultural tapestry of Kakuma’s diverse inhabitants. The settlement, whose name comes from the Swahili word for “nowhere,” has long been a symbol of resilience and survival amidst harsh conditions. Refugee populations are often at high risk for developing mental health conditions, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting up to 47% of those displaced by conflict. Regenerate Kakuma aims to mitigate these effects by providing a space that nurtures creativity, movement, and emotional healing, helping residents cope with their traumatic experiences.
Kampala Kasubi Tombs. Image Courtesy of Creative Commons
At the heart of the design is a focus on combining cultural heritage with natural materials, ensuring the project respects the community’s identity while creating functional spaces for growth and interaction. Vally’s design draws on sacred and vernacular architecture from the regions where Kakuma’s people originated, including the rock-cut churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia and the Neolithic rock paintings of Laas Geel in Somaliland. These references are woven into the structure, creating a space that feels connected to the cultural roots of its inhabitants.
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The architectural concept integrates natural elements and local materials, with the building being constructed primarily from Turkana stone, known for its thermal properties that help regulate indoor temperatures. The building’s form is a stepped stone structure, featuring thick walls that rise in a gradient, allowing for natural light, ventilation, and movement throughout the space. The design emphasizes harmony with the surrounding landscape, ensuring the center is both visually striking and practical for the environment.
Courtyards and openings punctuate the building, providing areas for reflection and interaction, while a stepped roofline creates distinct functional zones, from meditation spaces to outdoor fitness areas. These design elements are intended to foster both individual well-being and social cohesion, offering spaces for calm reflection as well as physical activity.
The Regenerate Kakuma facility will house a gym and outdoor fitness spaces, vital for supporting the athletic talent emerging from the settlement. Kakuma has produced several international athletes, including middle-distance runner Perina Nakang and Dominic Lobalu, who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The fitness center will offer a fully equipped gym and outdoor sports areas, including a basketball court, to nurture future talent and promote physical health.
Courtesy of Counterspace
In addition to fitness facilities, the project emphasizes mental well-being through a meditation hall and outdoor reflection spaces. These areas are designed to promote mindfulness and emotional recovery, key to addressing the trauma many refugees experience. Open courtyards allow for community gatherings, adding a social element to the peaceful environment.
A key component of the project is sustainability. In response to environmental degradation caused by climate change, the facility will include agroforestry and market gardens. These green spaces not only provide fresh produce but also serve as a form of education, teaching residents sustainable agriculture practices that help combat flooding, soil erosion, and pest issues.
Facade of Bet Abba Libanos Rock-Hewn Church. Image Courtesy of Creative Commons
Architects and urban planners have long played a crucial role in addressing humanitarian disasters, designing spaces that not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term resilience and community rebuilding. In other similar news, Shigeru Ban Architects, in collaboration with Voluntary Architects’ Network, recently developed an improved version of the temporary housing developed to help those affected by the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake. Similarly, following the extreme floods that affected Pakistan in 2022, architect Yasmeen Lari the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan pledged to help build one million resilient houses in the country. Finally, The Türkiye Design Council (TDC) has gathered 13 design practices, including Foster + Partners and Bjarke Ingels Group, to contribute to the revitalization of the historic province of Hatay, an area severely damaged by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February this year.
The team behind the Sphere, the incredible Las Vegas building that boasts bragging rights as the world’s largest spherical building and hosts the world’s largest LED display on its exterior, has revealed plans to create a second version in the United Arab Emirates.
The Sphere will be located on an undisclosed prominent site in Abu Dhabi. We’ve no word yet on its exact size, but Sphere Entertainment Co.’s press release says it will echo the scale of the 20,000 capacity original in Vegas. This has a height of 366 ft (111 m) and a width of 516 ft (157 m), while its record-breaking LED display consists of roughly 1.2 million LED pucks, with each puck in turn containing 48 individual LED diodes.
The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi will pay Sphere Entertainment Co. a franchise fee for the right to build the venue and will also handle construction costs, with Sphere Entertainment Co. providing expertise. The project is the next step in a larger plan to bring the Sphere to multiple countries around the world.
“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” says James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sphere Entertainment Co. “Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to collaborate with DCT Abu Dhabi to develop Sphere in their city.”
The current Las Vegas Sphere’s interior features an immersive display that wraps around the audience and so-called “4D” tech that allows audience members to feel a breeze, a change in temperature and even experience smells
Sphere Entertainment
Since its opening, the Vegas Sphere has been host to multiple shows and events, including a number of immersive U2 concerts. Alongside its headline-grabbing LED exterior, the interior is packed with high-tech audio and visual equipment, plus a haptic system and environmental effects that allow audiences to feel a breeze, a change in temperature, and even experience smells.
This new Abu Dhabi Sphere follows an aborted attempt to bring the spherical venue to London, which was cancelled by London Mayor Sadiq Khan following concerns about light pollution and disruption for locals. We’ve no word yet on when it’s expected to be completed.
China’s Sany Renewable Energy claims it has just erected the world’s largest onshore wind turbine. The 15MW prototype was installed earlier this week in northeast China’s Jilin Province.
The lovingly named SI-270150 turbine features 430-ft-long blades (131 m), making for a maximum swept area of 616,298 sq ft (57,256 sq m). That’s equivalent to nearly 11 American football fields. According to Sany, it’s also set a record for the largest onshore turbine rotor diameter at 886 ft (270 m), surpassing the previous largest onshore wind turbine on the planet, Goldwind’s 12-MW designlaunched in 2023 with a 787-ft (240-m) rotor diameter.
A single 15-MW turbine is said to be able to generate enough electricity to power 160,000 households for a year. This one is designed to run for 25-30 years, and features several design optimizations to see it through that life span. Its drivetrain features a dual tapered roller bearing integrated main shaft support system, “ensuring high load-bearing capacity and stability.”
Sany says its Shaoshan Blade Factory houses Asia’s largest single wind turbine blade production workshop
Wind energy nerds will have noticed that this 15-MW turbine isn’t nearly as big as the world’s largest offshore turbine, which we wrote about last month – the 20MW behemoth from China’s Mingyang Smart Energy.
That’s because offshore turbines can be built with higher towers and longer blades to take advantage of more consistent winds found over the ocean.
It’ll be a little while before this 15-MW turbine is installed widely. Sany said this prototype wind turbine will go through a year of operational testing for reliability in an experimental wind farm.
That’s another feather in China’s wind energy cap. As of 2023, the country accounted for 65% of global wind capacity, with four of the top five wind turbine manufacturers being based there. That includes world #1 OEM Goldwind, as well as Mingyang, which built the world’s largest offshore turbine last month. Sany, meanwhile, is at #7.
German camper brand Vanderer has proven itself a master at transforming the smallest vans into warm, cozy wheeled tiny homes with a layout that goes above and beyond the average mini-camper. It goes simpler for its second floor plan, deconstructing the camper van into a series of smart, versatile components spread around the vehicle. The Vanderer Two roams the wild as one of the stealthiest multifunctional mini-campers out there, quickly converting from a five-seat passenger van to a camper via an extra-slim tailgate kit that never gets in the way of gear or groceries.
The Vanderer Two is based around the “Sleep & Storage” module, a low-profile component that smartly splits the difference between a set of basic utility drawers and an expandable in-vehicle camping system. It secures to the load floor of a Citroën Berlingo XL or Peugeot Rifter XL, where it works as both an everyday trunk organizer and always-available integrated camping solution.
Unlike taller trunk-mounted camper-in-a-box systems that house refrigerators, water tanks, batteries, pots and pans, and other tall and/or bulky gear, the basic Sleep & Storage kit has two empty drawers sized as low and slim as possible.
These drawers fit modest gear like a slim cooktop, blankets, utensils and cooking tools, and low-profile cookware and dishes, but taller, larger items will have to find a place outside the drawers.
The Vanderer 2 drawers can be used for camping storage and/or everyday organization
Vanderer
While not built for maximum interior storage capacity, the slim drawer setup does preserve open trunk space above for cargo that wouldn’t fit inside any drawer. That will prove handy on camping trips for things like a cooler, luggage, firewood and a grill, as well as during everyday driving for shopping bags, boxes and more.
Vanderer keeps the low, slim overall profile intact by avoiding the tall stack of fold-out hardware and thick trifold mattress panels used in other camping trunk systems. Instead, the Sleep & Storage module has a sliding function that’s even faster and easier to use. Fold the rear seats down, and the two front platform extensions slide out in seconds to complete the bed platform. The cushions then fit together like puzzle pieces into a 47 x 79-in (120 x 200-cm) double bed stretched across the rear van cabin. Solo campers can also just set up one side of the bed, leaving the other side free for storage.
With a few slides and cushion drops, the Vanderer 2 makes a double bed for the night
Vanderer
Sleeping on the bed reveals the other advantage of the slim Sleep & Storage design: ample headroom. The Vanderer Two is designed to be as light, simple and affordable as possible, so the Vanderer One’s pop-up roof is not an option here, leaving overhead space limited to what’s below the factory van roof. The low-set sleeping platform maximizes that available space.
Where Vanderer gets really creative with the Two package is in its floating components. The first of these is an expandable tabletop that comes as part of the Sleep & Storage set, designed to be used both inside and outside the vehicle. It can be set up atop the van tailgate side ledges, working as a hovering indoor countertop across the width of the tailgate.
The versatile expandable tabletop works up high, on the drawer and inside, filling meal prep, cooking and dining responsibilities
Vanderer
When cooking turns to dining, the tabletop swings around through the sliding door, setting up in the van cabin as a table for use with the second-row seats. It’s supported by a removable leg system. For outdoor dining, the tabletop inserts neatly in the passenger-side rear drawer, where it can also be used as a lower prep/cooktop surface. It also stores on the drawer, sliding away for travel.
Indoor dining with the multipurpose tabletop – the passenger-side front seat folds down and sets up as a vis-a-vis seat using the bed cushions
Vanderer
The other independent part of the Two package is the console refrigerator. Since the usual slide-out trunk refrigerator would be too tall for what Vanderer has accomplished in the rear, the company swaps in a 14-L compressor fridge box for the van’s center console, providing some ice-free cold storage between the front seats. It’s not conveniently placed for tailgate-area meal prep, but it’s quite convenient for access to cold beverages on the ride and also when dining and sleeping inside the van. The front hinge ensures that the top doesn’t smack into the table when opened.
The fridge comes standard, but those looking for a second battery to keep it running without straining the van battery will have to add an optional 50- or 105-Ah lithium battery package.
One thing noticeably missing from the Vanderer Two layout is any kind of sink or water storage, but for those who want something beyond their own simple water jug, Vanderer suggests the Boxio wash station. This portable sink system has 5-L fresh and gray water tanks, a drained basin and a hand-pumped faucet all integrated in a stackable Eurobox. There’s also an available shower attachment and a separate Boxio dry separating toilet box that, which can stack neatly with the wash station … assuming you don’t mind your toilet and sink stacked on top of one another during the ride.
The Boxio wash station is a natural portable sink option for light campers like the Vanderer Two
Boxio
Interestingly, Vanderer sells the Two as a complete vehicle as well as a component kit for owner-supplied vehicles. The turnkey Vanderer Two starts at €33,898 (approx. US$37,225), including delivery fee, based on a 187-in-long (475-cm) Berlingo XL with 109-hp PureTech engine and six-speed manual transmission. The electric version can be had for an extra €13,999 ($15,375). The Peugeot Rifter-based Vanderer Two starts at €36,898 ($40,500) after delivery fee and includes the same powertrain with a Style package and reverse-view camera.
The Sleep & Storage module with drawers, bed and table costs €3,599 on its own, and the console fridge comes in at €699. Vanderer offers electrical packages and camp heating options with both the turnkey Vanderer Two and aftermarket kit.
Vanderer shows a sporty Berlingo Crossline-based Two mini-camper at the Caravan Salon, along with the Boxio on the ground behind the van
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Vanderer showed the Two built atop the Berlingo Crossline at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon last month. The Crossline is a vaguely rugged trim with all-terrain tires and yellow accents but is not yet available. Vanderer plans to announce Crossline Vanderer Two package pricing before the end of 2024.
We now have a completion date for what will be the world’s tallest skyscraper – and it’s coming sooner than you might think. The amazing structure is expected to be finished by 2028 and will rise to a mind-boggling height of 1,007 m (3,303 ft) in Saudi Arabia.
Originally known as the Kingdom Tower and the Mile-High Tower (the latter dropped once it was discovered the ground couldn’t support a mile-high structure), the skyscraper was then renamed the Jeddah Tower but has now received yet another new name, the Jeddah Economic Company Tower – or JEC Tower.
It’s designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, with the former having notable form for being the creative force behind the current world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which reaches a height of 828 m (2,716 ft). To put all these numbers into perspective, the JEC Tower will be over three times the height of the Eiffel Tower, over twice the height of the Empire State Building, and almost twice the height of the USA’s tallest skyscraper, the One World Trade Center.
We should note that Foster + Partners’ rumored mile-high skyscraper would be even taller still, but since there’s no confirmation yet that it’s actually going ahead, the JEC Tower’s status as world’s tallest building will be assured for some time.
Towering over the Saudi Red Sea port city of Jeddah, the JEC Tower will be over three times the height of the Eiffel Tower
Jeddah Economic Company
The JEC Tower’s triangular form, which is inspired by the folded leaves of a desert plant, has been conceived to withstand the punishing winds at such heights and features notches on three sides to shield the building from the Sun. Anchoring all this is a massive concrete foundation system supported by 270 bored piles that reach depths of up to 105 m (344 ft).
The skyscraper’s vast interior will include 59 elevators and 157 floors. It will boast the world’s highest observatory, as well as a luxury hotel, lots of office space, and plush residences.
The JEC Tower will feature the world’s highest observatory
Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architecture
It has been a long time coming. Work began on the JEC Tower over a decade ago but was stalled at around 60 floors for several years, with reports naming purges by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the subsequent arrest of Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, a billionaire businessman and investor, who leads the project, as the cause for the delay. Then last year there were reports that work had begun, but now it’s official.
Talal Al Saud recently posted a short video of the project to X (formerly Twitter) with the accompanying words “We’re back” and his company Kingdom Holding Company has announced work is underway in earnest following a contract with the Saudi Binladin Group to build it for SAR 7.2 billion (roughly US$1.9 billion).
It is not just a case of building more capacity. Taiwan’s energy dilemma is a combination of national security, climate, and political challenges. The island depends on imported fossil fuel for around 90 percent of its energy and lives under the growing threat of blockade, quarantine, or invasion from China. In addition, for political reasons, the government has pledged to close its nuclear sector by 2025.
Taiwan regularly attends UN climate meetings, though never as a participant. Excluded at China’s insistence from membership in the United Nations, Taiwan asserts its presence on the margins, convening side events and adopting the Paris Agreement targets of peak emissions before 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. Its major companies, TSMC included, have signed up to RE100, a corporate renewable-energy initiative, and pledged to achieve net-zero production. But right now, there is a wide gap between aspiration and performance.
Angelica Oung, a journalist and founder of the Clean Energy Transition Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for a rapid energy transition, has studied Taiwan’s energy sector for years. When we met in a restaurant in Taipei, she cheerfully ordered an implausibly large number of dishes that crowded onto the small table as we talked. Oung described two major blackouts—one in 2021 that affected TSMC and 6.2 million households for five hours, and one in 2022 that affected 5.5 million households. It is a sign, she says, of an energy system running perilously close to the edge.
Nicholas Chen argues that government is failing to keep up even with existing demand. “In the past eight years there have been four major power outages,” he said, and “brownouts are commonplace.”
The operating margin on the grid—the buffer between supply and demand—ought to be 25 percent in a secure system. In Taiwan, Oung explained, there have been several occasions this year when the margin was down to 5 percent. “It shows that the system is fragile,” she said.
Taiwan’s current energy mix illustrates the scale of the challenge: Last year, Taiwan’s power sector was 83 percent dependent on fossil fuel: Coal accounted for around 42 percent of generation, natural gas 40 percent, and oil 1 percent. Nuclear supplied 6 percent, and solar, wind, hydro, and biomass together nearly 10 percent, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Taiwan’s fossil fuels are imported by sea, which leaves the island at the mercy both of international price fluctuations and potential blockade by China. The government has sought to shield consumers from rising global prices, but that has resulted in growing debt for the Taiwan Electric Power Company (Taipower), the national provider. In the event of a naval blockade by China, Taiwan could count on about six weeks reserves of coal but not much more than a week of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Given that LNG supplies more than a third of electricity generation, the impact would be severe.
The government has announced ambitious energy targets. The 2050 net-zero road map released by Taiwan’s National Development Council in 2022 promised to shut down its nuclear sector by 2025. By the same year, the share of coal would have to come down to 30 percent, gas would have to rise to 50 percent, and renewables would have to leap to 20 percent. None of those targets is on track.
