MOEA: Renewable Energy Targets to Focus on Installed Capacity for More Practical Corporate Needs
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is shifting its renewable energy targets to focus on installed capacity, rather than generation percentage, to better meet the practical needs of industries like semiconductors facing increased electricity demand. This move acknowledges economic growth and aims to provide more accurate progress indicators and satisfy corporate green energy requirements.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 23:36
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 00:02 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 21:28 (21h 26m after Collected)
AI Net-Zero Special Report (300 articles in total)
Central Message
Digital transformation is an ongoing industrial process. Artificial intelligence and net-zero carbon emissions are two major challenges facing the government and enterprises, crucial for Taiwan's future competitiveness. CNA's frontline reporting team delves into how the government and various industries are using AI to optimize production processes and drive green innovation, witnessing Taiwan's industries ascend once more.
(Central News Agency, Taipei, April 17, Reporter Zeng Zhiyi) Regarding the adjustment of renewable energy promotion targets discussed by all parties, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated today that in response to the significant increase in overall electricity consumption estimates driven by industries such as semiconductors in recent years, and the many changes in actual power generation conditions, increasing "renewable energy installed capacity" as a rolling review indicator is a practical promotion method that can more accurately reflect promotion achievements and meet corporate green electricity demand.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs explained in a press release that the 2025 renewable energy target of 20% was set based on the economic growth rates of 1-2% in 2015 and 2016, estimating the 2025 power generation at approximately 257.5 billion kWh.
As the Ministry of Economic Affairs reviews domestic electricity demand annually, due to high economic growth and a booming manufacturing sector, the actual power generation in 2025 is estimated at 288.9 billion kWh, a significant increase of 31.4 billion kWh from the original estimate, equivalent to the annual generation of 4.5 new gas units.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that this shows that electricity demand is easily affected by domestic and international economic and political situations, making it difficult to accurately grasp the "generation ratio" and diluting the achievements of renewable energy promotion.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the domestic green energy construction progress is steady. For example, in 2024, offshore wind power ranked 5th globally in terms of installation volume, and the new installed capacity in 2024 alone ranked 2nd worldwide. As of the end of March 2026, the total installed capacity of offshore wind power has exceeded 4.5 GW, with 484 turbines. For solar photovoltaic, the cumulative installed capacity has reached 15.68 GW, with rooftop systems accounting for 10.05 GW, a share of over 64%.
Regarding some media quoting "zombie solar panels," the Ministry of Economic Affairs clarified that this term refers to policies like those in China, which provide equipment incentives, easily leading to the situation where "solar panels are installed but do not generate power." However, Taiwan's system requires "actual generation" to sell electricity. To ensure revenue, operators will continue to operate the sites, and there will be no "zombie solar power" situation.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that worldwide development of solar photovoltaics involves calculations of capacity and conversion rates. Taiwan is located north of the Tropic of Cancer and has better sunlight conditions than high-latitude countries. As long as there is sunlight, stable power generation is possible. Therefore, for individual solar photovoltaic projects, the key is to comply with relevant regulations for establishment and manage them properly; operators do not need to blindly increase installed capacity.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that in the face of electricity demand growth driven by the semiconductor and electronics industries' supply chains, the government pragmatically reviews renewable energy targets and promotion strategies, continues to promote secondary energy transformation, meets corporate RE100 needs, and steadily moves towards the goal of net-zero emissions and enhances the international competitiveness of Taiwan's industries. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 04171140
Stand with the facts, and your every sponsorship is the power to safeguard press freedom.
Download the CNA "One-Stop News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
This website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.
Central Message
Digital transformation is an ongoing industrial process. Artificial intelligence and net-zero carbon emissions are two major challenges facing the government and enterprises, crucial for Taiwan's future competitiveness. CNA's frontline reporting team delves into how the government and various industries are using AI to optimize production processes and drive green innovation, witnessing Taiwan's industries ascend once more.
(Central News Agency, Taipei, April 17, Reporter Zeng Zhiyi) Regarding the adjustment of renewable energy promotion targets discussed by all parties, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated today that in response to the significant increase in overall electricity consumption estimates driven by industries such as semiconductors in recent years, and the many changes in actual power generation conditions, increasing "renewable energy installed capacity" as a rolling review indicator is a practical promotion method that can more accurately reflect promotion achievements and meet corporate green electricity demand.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs explained in a press release that the 2025 renewable energy target of 20% was set based on the economic growth rates of 1-2% in 2015 and 2016, estimating the 2025 power generation at approximately 257.5 billion kWh.
As the Ministry of Economic Affairs reviews domestic electricity demand annually, due to high economic growth and a booming manufacturing sector, the actual power generation in 2025 is estimated at 288.9 billion kWh, a significant increase of 31.4 billion kWh from the original estimate, equivalent to the annual generation of 4.5 new gas units.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that this shows that electricity demand is easily affected by domestic and international economic and political situations, making it difficult to accurately grasp the "generation ratio" and diluting the achievements of renewable energy promotion.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the domestic green energy construction progress is steady. For example, in 2024, offshore wind power ranked 5th globally in terms of installation volume, and the new installed capacity in 2024 alone ranked 2nd worldwide. As of the end of March 2026, the total installed capacity of offshore wind power has exceeded 4.5 GW, with 484 turbines. For solar photovoltaic, the cumulative installed capacity has reached 15.68 GW, with rooftop systems accounting for 10.05 GW, a share of over 64%.
Regarding some media quoting "zombie solar panels," the Ministry of Economic Affairs clarified that this term refers to policies like those in China, which provide equipment incentives, easily leading to the situation where "solar panels are installed but do not generate power." However, Taiwan's system requires "actual generation" to sell electricity. To ensure revenue, operators will continue to operate the sites, and there will be no "zombie solar power" situation.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that worldwide development of solar photovoltaics involves calculations of capacity and conversion rates. Taiwan is located north of the Tropic of Cancer and has better sunlight conditions than high-latitude countries. As long as there is sunlight, stable power generation is possible. Therefore, for individual solar photovoltaic projects, the key is to comply with relevant regulations for establishment and manage them properly; operators do not need to blindly increase installed capacity.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that in the face of electricity demand growth driven by the semiconductor and electronics industries' supply chains, the government pragmatically reviews renewable energy targets and promotion strategies, continues to promote secondary energy transformation, meets corporate RE100 needs, and steadily moves towards the goal of net-zero emissions and enhances the international competitiveness of Taiwan's industries. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 04171140
Stand with the facts, and your every sponsorship is the power to safeguard press freedom.
Download the CNA "One-Stop News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
This website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.