(Feb 5): Taiwan’s government warned the island may take longer to hit its green energy target as the rollout of renewable power falls short of expectations, weighed down by project delays and policy shifts.
The goal of green energy accounting for 20% of the power mix remains unchanged, but the timeline may slip, Economic Minister Kung Ming-hsin said at a briefing in Taipei on Thursday. However, he didn’t provide any details on how long it would be delayed by.
This is not the first time Taiwan has pushed back the timeline for its green energy goal. The island originally aimed to generate 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2025, but they accounted for only about 12% of total output by the end of 2024.
The energy administration later said Taiwan may reach the 20% target by November this year.
The latest possible delay comes shortly after the island tightened solar rules and banned installations in some areas late last year, according to Taipei-based Central News Agency, amid weather and safety concerns.
Taiwan has had a fair share of challenges within its renewable energy push, with offshore wind projects hit by major delays and even cancellations. The island also shut its final nuclear reactor last year, a move that is likely to make it more dependent on imported gas for power.
See also: China’s years-long retreat from US treasuries flags bigger risks
Still, the government is planning to draft proposals to restart two atomic power plants, and procedures to revive one of them may begin in 2028 if safety reviews proceed smoothly.
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