President-elect Tsai Ing-wen has spoken on a prediction she made during her campaign that electricity prices will not go up in the next decade.
During a meeting on green technology held Monday in Tainan, Tsai clarified her prediction. She said that her administration, set to take office in May, does not have plans to raise prices for small-scale users. She said that her administration will adopt policies that encourage large-scale users to conserve energy while setting a reasonable price for electric power.
Tsai said that the development and spread of new green energy technologies and more efficient management of public utility Taipower will make raising prices unnecessary.
Tsai said that her administration will adjust prices if the need arises, but that it has no plan to do so in place.
On Monday afternoon, Tsai said that her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) hopes to build a sustainable energy system for Taiwan. She also said she hopes that Taiwan will move away from nuclear power by 2025.
Tsai expressed confidence in Taiwan’s ability to meet these goals.
"I’m confident in Taiwan’s industrial technology. Taiwan’s geographic position is very suitable for the development of renewable energies. We’re going to make the government more efficient, reduce regulatory obstacles, and make the government into a true partner of industry," said Tsai, "The problem of energy is an important checkpoint in Taiwan’s economic and social transformation. But as long as we pass this barrier, we can become a better country."
Tsai said the DPP will improve bidding mechanisms, raise government efficiency, assist with building basic infrastructure, and promote revisions to laws governing the power sector. She said that with these policies, the DPP will provide the power industry with a better environment for development.