Taiwan is planning a major expansion of renewables to meet growing power demand, according to a senior government official.
Deputy director of the energy bureau of the ministry of economic affairs Lee Chun-Li (centre) told a press conference in Taipei today that the island is eyeing growth as well as diversification of its green energy sector.
The press conference was held ahead of the Energy Taiwan and Net-Zero Taiwan, an international exhibition that is due to be held this week between 2 and 4 October.
Chun-Li said as well as more wind and solar generation, the administration wants to grow its use of tidal, hydro and geothermal.
He told journalists the island’s power system is critical to support industry, including a large export sector. Power demand is increasing.
“What matters most to Taiwan is the semiconductor industry and AI is also on the way to (being important),” he said.
“Both require stable energy supply…from green energy and that is something we are working on.
Taiwan, he added, is undergoing a second energy transformation under President Lai Ching-te since he took office in May.
The government plans to have 70% of the island’s energy use coming from green sources by 2050, said Chun-Li.
Taiwan “cannot afford” to “ignore” international climate and energy goals, he said.
“Net-zero carbon emissions are a global goal. The government is promoting deep energy conservation and accelerating the development of diversified green energy, making the 2050 net-zero carbon goal more concrete.”
Representatives of industry told journalists they back the government’s policy.
President of semiconductor representative group SEMI Taiwan Terry Tsao (left) said the “net-zero transition is the only solution to the challenges of climate change”.
“The world is continuously developing new energy technologies to achieve deep energy savings through diverse green energy solutions.
“SEMI and its Green Energy and Sustainability Alliance actively link industry and government green energy policies and technologies, aiming for net-zero green energy as the top priority to tap into global sustainable business opportunities.”
Walter Yeh, the secretary-general of show organiser TAITRA (right), hailed the event as an important week for the energy sector.
“As the industry progresses in both digital and green transformations, Energy Taiwan and Net-Zero Taiwan serve as crucial platforms for converging green energy and net-zero industries,” he said.
“This year’s exhibition has set new records: a total of 480 exhibitors are participating, using 1,625 booths, making this the largest exhibition to date, with a growth of 30%. The proportion of international exhibitors reached 20%, also a historical high.”