Taiwan must conserve power to meet its own energy demands, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today at the closing ceremony of the National Energy Conference held in Taipei.
The two-day discussion commenced January 26 focused on three core issues with participants reaching consensus on certain points and dissenting on others, Mao said. On the points of consensus, the government will promptly begin addressing the short-to-medium term goals while gradually implementing measures for the long-term goals.
Mao recalled comparing the nation's energy portfolio to a self-serve buffet in his opening speech yesterday. However, plating a mix of foods is different from developing a mix of energy options as the latter is harder to reverse. That is, any changes to an energy portfolio would take at least another generation to have effect.
"There is no perfect mix of energy options, but once we make the choice, we will have to face the risks and bear the costs that come with it. Hence, we must exercise extraordinary prudence when forming policies."
The conference was organized into two segments: The first consisted of establishing objective facts and technical information, which do not vary with the personal values of discussion participants. This information—publicly debated by scholars and experts and accepted as objective, scientific fact—has been posted online for the public's review and will serve as reference for future discussions of energy issues. Premier Mao said that the government may also create an online website similar to Wikipedia where people can contribute their professional knowledge to the information.
The second segment—response measures for the three core issues—consisted of discussions that do involve the subjective values of participants. It was a process of people exchanging personal values in an effort to build a consensus on response measures, said the premier.
Mao hopes this two-segment design allowed for more effective gathering of public opinions and a fuller debate on the complex issue of where future electricity should come from.
With few natural resources, Taiwan must import 97 percent of its energy supplies from abroad, noted Premier Mao. Calling on the nation to conserve its own energy resources, he suggested designating the core issue of "conservation to meet energy demands" as a short-term goal.
Using the concept of smart living or smart cities, central and local governments can work together to promote smart energy conservation, the premier continued. Given Taiwan's strengths in these fields, it can develop a creative and flourishing industry for energy management.
The premier will direct the administration to expedite collaboration between the central and local governments and to map out energy-saving plans for different regions. Once the plans are in place, Taiwan may be able to make slight revisions to its "business-as-usual" demands on energy. In fact, these revisions may also set off changes in the other two core issues—"stable sources of energy" and "low-carbon sustainability."
Reflecting on the conference, Premier Mao said much of the disagreements arose from subjective views on nuclear power risks and nuclear waste disposal. Other disagreements resulted from lack of clarification on objective facts. For instance, more information is needed to confirm what the relationship is between power reserve margin and power shortage risks, how far renewable energy resources should be developed, or how to manage carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. All of these questions highlight the complexity of energy issues and the expertise required to deal with it.
For the points on which consensus has yet to be reached, Premier Mao said an open data platform will be set up online so that the public can continue today's conversation using the conference's model of fact finding and value judgment.
"Only a full and objective debate on the benefits and risks of different energy mixes can lead to responsible choices," the premier said.