Environmental Impact Assessment: Lagging behind? Taiwan’s go-slow energy transition – Taipei Times

Transitioning to Renewable Energy: Taiwan’s Progress and Challenges

Introduction

• Author: Steven Crook

In recent years, Taiwan has made significant strides towards increasing its renewable energy capacity. On February 11th, during the Lunar New Year holiday, wind and solar power supplied a record-breaking 52.37% of the country’s electricity. While this achievement demonstrates progress, Taiwan still faces challenges in transitioning away from fossil fuels and achieving its sustainable development goals.

Record-Breaking Clean Energy Generation

• Taiwan Power Co (Taipower) announced that on February 11th, wind and solar power supplied over half of the country’s electricity.
• This was the first time that wind and solar exceeded all other forms of power generation.
• Taiwan’s clean energy sources produced a combined 10GW, a new record.

However, it is important to note that this achievement occurred during a non-working day for most Taiwanese people, resulting in lower electricity demand. The industrial sector, which accounts for 57% of total electricity consumption, was largely inactive during the holiday period.

Comparison with Previous Years

• In 2021, renewables accounted for just under 11% of Taiwan’s electricity consumption.
• Japan, often compared to Taiwan due to its reliance on imported fossil fuels, achieved a renewable energy share of 22.7% in 2022.
• Taiwan’s renewable energy mix includes hydropower, waste-to-energy plants, geothermal, and biomass facilities.
• Biomass-to-power facilities contributed less than 0.1% of Taiwan’s electricity in 2021.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Taiwan faces regulatory barriers to expanding biomass energy, including establishment regulations and feed-in tariff rates.
• Japan has made progress in biomass power stations, producing 4.6% of its electricity in 2022.
• Taiwan’s future energy mix may include thermal power plants with carbon-capture technologies, but the use of LNG or coal is unclear.

Comparative Analysis: Japan and South Korea

• Japan achieved a renewable energy share of 22.7% in 2022, with a significant contribution from hydropower and biomass.
• South Korea’s renewable energy share was only 8.9% in 2022, with coal, nuclear, and LNG dominating its energy mix.
• South Korea aims to increase its renewable energy share to 30.6% by 2036.

Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions

• Taiwan aims to meet 60-70% of its electricity needs with renewables by 2050.
• Hydrogen energy is expected to account for 9-12% of the energy mix.
• The remaining energy may come from thermal power plants equipped with carbon-capture technologies.

International Comparisons

• Europe leads in renewable energy adoption, with wind and solar contributing 27% of the EU’s electricity in 2023.
• Portugal, with its lower electricity consumption and abundant hydropower resources, has achieved impressive renewable energy milestones.

Conclusion

Taiwan has made progress in increasing its renewable energy capacity, but there are still challenges to overcome. The government must address regulatory barriers and set clear targets to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. By aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Taiwan can achieve a sustainable and decarbonized energy future.

Steven Crook, the author or co-author of four books about Taiwan, has been following environmental issues since he arrived in the country in 1991. He drives a hybrid and carries his own chopsticks. The views expressed here are his own.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats
   • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: taipeitimes.com

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