Taiwan in push to reduce energy imports

• 6 years ago (2017-12-27)
• David Flin

Asia 847 Wind 239

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Taiwan is currently “99  per cent dependent upon energy imports”, according to energy ministry officials. However, a new energy policy promulgated by President Tsai Ing Wen’s government aims to sharply reduce this dependence on imported energy - in particular coal, oil, and natural gas - by 2025.

The island economy receives most of its oil imports from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, and Angola. LNG comes mainly from Qatar, Malaysia, and Indonesia, while coal comes predominantly from Australia and Indonesia.

The policy is to reduce fossil fuel use, phase out nuclear power, and maximise the use of solar and wind power. Under the Office of Energy and Carbon Reduction plan, the amount of electricity generated from coal-fired power stations will be cut from 45 per cent in 2016 to 30 per cent by 25 per cent, while raising the amount generated from renewables from 12 per cent to 20 per cent over the same period. President Tsai’s government also plans to phase out Taiwan’s four nuclear power plants.