Premier Lai Ching-te at Thursday's Cabinet meeting called on relevant ministries and agencies to simplify administrative processes and remove hurdles to permit acquisition and development of offshore wind power, in order to achieve a nuclear-free homeland by 2025 and increase the use of renewable energy as called for by the nation's energy policy. Agencies were also instructed to take the initiative in assisting developers with procedures necessary for planning and construction, so that facilities and infrastructure can be completed on time.
In addition to his instructions to assist developers, Premier Lai also directed the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to maintain firm oversight of related projects, such as the timing of electric grid work and port construction, in order to provide adequate infrastructure to support offshore construction and ensure that the transmission network will be able to handle the added capacity.
The premier's remarks came following a presentation by the MOEA detailing Taiwan's promotion of offshore wind power.
The MOEA indicated that Taiwan's overall strategy for promoting wind power incorporates demonstration projects, award incentives, the opening of promising sites, and development in blocks. Plans call for the completion of two demonstration facilities and the opening of 36 promising sites for developers to consider by 2020. Once companies have completed environmental impact assessments and obtained the necessary permits, construction can begin that will add 5.5 gigawatts in offshore wind power capacity by 2025.
MOEA estimates put the total investment required through 2025 at NT$962.5 billion (US$31.56 billion). The project will create around 20,000 jobs, reduce carbon emissions by 10.47 million metric tons, and upon completion be able to generate 19.8 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity per year, enabling the realization of Taiwan's policies of developing green energy, building an innovative green economy, and promoting a sustainable environment.