Premier Cho Jung-tai: Diversified Energy is the Right Path, Annual Power Generation Can Support Economic Development

(CNA, Taipei, 19th, by reporters Kao Hua-chien and Lai Yu-chen) Premier Cho Jung-tai said today that Taiwan's energy transition has reached a critical era, and the government will continue to carry out a secondary energy transition and diversified development of green energy, stating that diversified development is the right path. He added that Taiwan's annual power generation can support domestic political, economic, and industrial development. Tomorrow marks May 20th, the second anniversary of the Lai administration's governance. Premier Cho Jung-tai, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, and Secretary-General Chang Tun-han attended the Executive Yuan's 520 press conference today to explain recent achievements and future prospects, such as enhancing policies for the declining birthrate. In his speech, Cho mentioned that Taiwan's energy transition is at a very critical juncture, and the government will continue to implement a secondary energy transition, develop diverse green energy sources, and be fully prepared. When asked by the media about scholars' claims that the government's energy policy has been inconsistent, with concerns that wind or solar power development may not meet expectations, Cho stated that the government continues to develop diverse green energy, technological storage, advanced energy conservation, and grid safety and resilience as part of the secondary energy transition. Many high-tech companies need green energy to obtain clean power, so green energy sources like solar and wind are certainly the trend, while others like hydrogen, small hydro, and geothermal are still being explored. He pointed out that while the development of wind and solar power is indeed limited by climate and timing, future technological improvements can enhance generation efficiency and overcome some difficulties and limitations. Cho emphasized that diversified development is the right path and stable power supply is the goal. The government has a responsibility to the people and industry, and Taiwan's industry has a responsibility to the world. Therefore, in addition to the secondary energy transition, the nuclear issue is also proceeding according to procedure. He hopes that after an autonomous safety inspection by Taipower and the submission of a restart plan, there will be an additional option when needed in the future. He said that the 2025 renewable energy target of 20% was based on an estimated economic growth rate of 1% to 2% for 2025 and 2026 at the time. However, Taiwan's actual power generation in 2025 increased to 288.9 billion kWh, a significant increase of 31.4 billion kWh from the original estimate. Old coal-fired units have been continuously converted to new gas-fired units, and the annual power generation can also support the development of the domestic political, economic, and industrial situation. Cho stated that to accurately grasp the relevant figures and their interpretation for the future, it is necessary to use new economic conditions and new generation content for the report's data. Therefore, it is not that Taipower is being inconsistent, but rather adapting to new trends. The government will continue to promote the secondary energy transition to meet corporate RE100 requirements, which is the important ticket for businesses to enter the international market. The goal is to achieve the set targets for net-zero emissions and also make the national industry more competitive. (Editor: Zhai Si-jia)