I have an op-ed in the 聯合報 (United Daily News) — one of Taiwan’s major daily newspapers — on the revision of the Energy Management Act and what it truly demands of large industrial consumers.

What is the 聯合報 (United Daily News)?

The 聯合報 (Lianhe Bao, United Daily News) is one of Taiwan’s historic newspapers. Founded in 1951, it is one of the island’s three major dailies, read by economic and political decision-makers. Publishing an op-ed there means speaking directly into Taiwan’s public debate, in the language of that debate.

The natural gas self-generation trap

Taiwan’s revised Energy Management Act now requires large consumers to self-generate a portion of their electricity. In principle, this is a step in the right direction. But the law allows them to do so with natural gas generators — and that is where the problem lies.

Natural gas is imported. Taiwan already depends on imports for more than 90% of its energy. Replacing a dependency on the electricity grid with a dependency on LNG terminals does not reduce vulnerability: it simply shifts the point of fragility.

True independence requires local resources

My argument is straightforward: if the law’s goal is to strengthen Taiwan’s energy autonomy, then self-generation obligations must steer large industrial users toward resources the island actually possesses — solar, wind, geothermal — not fuels it will always have to import.

What the implementing regulations will decide

The law is passed. But the key battle will be fought in the implementing regulations that specify the obligations. That is where Taiwan’s authorities can — or cannot — write in a minimum renewable energy share for self-generation requirements.

That is what I am calling for: closing the door on natural gas as an easy escape, and requiring that self-generation actually serves the island’s resilience.

→ Read the op-ed in the 聯合報 (United Daily News)

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Photo: wind turbines off the coast of Taiwan.