The economics ministry is refuting predictions from industry experts and researchers who say that Taiwan might see power shortages this year. At the same time, it published long-term projections on power generation in the country.
According to the official estimates, Taiwan’s total energy output will reach almost 48,500,000 kilowatts in 2025, and just shy of 49,700,000 in the following year. Those numbers represent 5.6% and 2.5% year-over-year increases respectively, with the former being the largest growth in domestic power generation since 2019.
The Chairman of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Li Yu-chia, says that negative predictions for this year’s power availability stem from the fact that many Taiwanese companies are bringing overseas operations back to the country. Meanwhile, the semiconductor industry continues to expand operations. He says that the government’s projections signify preparedness, but officials need to keep track of energy production and consumption metrics on a regular basis. Li says that since Taiwan does not plan to increase its reliance on nuclear power, a suitable alternative should be presented.
The chairman of Taiwan’s General Chamber of Commerce, Paul Hsu, says the government should find ways to guarantee a stable supply of energy. He says that since nuclear energy is no longer a backup, officials should develop appropriate alternative energy sources in a timely fashion and up to the desired standard. He says that blackouts, like those seen last year, can cause resentment among the public and negatively affect industry.