People's behaviors may be hard to change when it comes to electricity usage, but central and local governments must mobilize all citizens and work together to lower the nation's power consumption, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today.
The premier made the remarks after hearing the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (MOEA) report on a smart city program that pushes public and private sectors to lower their electricity use by 2 percent over last year. The program, running from April through next March, is also expected to drive up the smart electricity industry's output value to NT$28 billion (US$888.9 million).
"As Taiwan lacks natural resources and imports 98 percent of its energy, it is essential that we have a sufficient, stable, reliable and low-carbon supply of electricity. We must also be efficient in using that supply."
Electricity is vital to economic development and in people's daily lives, Mao continued. Before the nation can reach a consensus regarding the supply side of the issue, Taiwan must do more on the demand side and conserve as much energy as possible in order to avert energy shortages.
With the central government subsidizing the electricity saving campaign and offering incentives for results, said the premier, local governments will hopefully work closely with civil groups to implement the program. The public is also invited to take part in the effort and monitor the progress.
The governments of the 19 cities and counties on Taiwan proper should put forward electricity saving targets and plans, indicated Mao. For instance, local governments can begin by asking 24-hour convenience stores to take conservation measures such as controlling the room temperature and establishing energy management systems. As for the industrial sector and offshore islands, the MOEA was instructed to come up with other tailor-made projects.
The Taiwan Power Co. will make public information about electricity consumption and assist local governments in making their plans, while the MOEA will provide power-saving tips for households, stores, supermarkets and institutions. The ministry will also coordinate with local governments to set up websites, linking with online communities to encourage the public to reduce their energy use.