Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, J.W. Kuo, has proposed a plan to invest in renewable energy projects in the Philippines and transport the electricity back to Taiwan via submarine cables. This initiative is part of Taiwan's strategy to address domestic energy supply constraints and meet the growing demand for green energy from international manufacturers.
Kuo stated that Taiwan's current green energy capacity will suffice until 2030, but to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, Taiwan needs to explore new energy sources. The proposal to source renewable power from the Philippines reflects the need to expand beyond Taiwan's limited land and offshore wind resources. Kuo highlighted the potential for collaboration among the US, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines to strengthen regional energy security and support carbon reduction targets.
The concept draws inspiration from the Australia-Asia Power Link, a US$20 billion project approved by the Australian government that will deliver solar energy to Singapore via a 4,300-kilometer undersea cable. Taiwan faces similar challenges in expanding its renewable energy infrastructure due to limited land availability and the inability to construct new large-scale hydropower plants.
While the plan is still in the early discussion stages, Kuo emphasized the need for further feasibility assessments by experts. If deemed viable, private or foreign investors would likely handle the development of overseas power plants and submarine cables. Kuo believes importing green energy from abroad could prove more efficient than expanding Taiwan's domestic capacity.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs clarified that while the idea has sparked public interest, it is not tied to any specific company or project. The focus remains on ensuring competitive costs and exploring new avenues to support Taiwan's energy transition as part of its broader sustainability goals.
