The US government is beginning to grow cautious of AI data centers (AIDCs) because of their enormous pressure on power grids. In facing the hard limits of energy resources, policymakers will be forced to reallocate resources and shift priorities. If an AIDC cannot present a comprehensive power generation and consumption plan and relies solely on access to the public grid, the project is almost impossible to pass approval.

As South Korea accelerates its push to advance nuclear fusion research and move toward commercialization, experts are warning that the country's existing regulatory framework—largely designed for nuclear fission—could slow progress and undermine competitiveness.

Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. plans to double its investment in India's renewable energy sector, committing a total of JPY2 trillion (about US$13 billion) through a joint venture with local clean energy developer AMPIN Energy Transition, underscoring its growing focus on India as a key market for energy transition and industrial growth.

On December 11, 2025, Taiwan officially inaugurated its first hydrogen refueling infrastructure with the simultaneous opening of CPC Corporation's Nanzi station in Kaohsiung and Linde LienHwa Group's Shugu demonstration station in Tainan. The milestone signals a new chapter for Taiwan's hydrogen energy supply chain and practical use in transportation.

As global artificial intelligence (AI) computing demand surges from the megawatt (MW) to gigawatt (GW) scale, traditional data centers are facing cooling and energy challenges. This shift is driving the industry from air cooling technology to high-efficiency liquid cooling, with "waste heat" increasingly seen as a key asset for the next wave of the energy revolution.

Despite rising offshore wind installation costs due to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, with some projects experiencing delays, offshore wind remains a critical option supporting Taiwan's energy independence and corporate green power demand. Developers emphasize strong industrial demand for green electricity but note that market information is insufficient. They call for establishing an independent, credible, and transparent third-party information platform to help buyers assess pricing and timing.

Amid a global push for carbon neutrality and soaring electricity demand, nuclear fusion is moving back into the spotlight—not as a distant scientific aspiration, but as a potential near-term solution. With major reactor projects delayed and energy needs growing, countries are reassessing the traditional Tokamak-based R&D path and seeking faster, more agile alternatives.

Academia Sinica, the highest academic institution in Taiwan, announced on December 10 that it has successfully discovered a deep geothermal heat source nearly 4,000 meters underground in a northeastern region of the country in collaboration with the state-owned CPC oil and gas company.

The global power equipment supply chain is facing a transformer shortage due to the unrelenting AI data center construction and demand for renewable energy. Delivery times for key equipment have been significantly extended, with some large transformers requiring as long as 24 months. This not only tests grid resilience but also creates challenges for major tech firms urgently seeking new power capacity.

Taiwan has set a goal for 30% of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2030, but the solar power sector is encountering mounting policy and public pressure that could slow its growth. After the Legislative Yuan passed three legal amendments regarding new solar power developments, foreign investors and local developers alike are concerned that the tighter regulations will increase uncertainty and hinder development in the solar industry in 2026.

Linde LienHwa, Taiwan's largest industrial gas supplier, opened two hydrogen refueling stations with CPC Corporation as the government prepares new incentives to build out hydrogen infrastructure and support early pilot projects. The LLH Tree Valley Demonstration Hydrogen Refueling Station in Tainan and CPC's Nanzih station in Kaohsiung are the first facilities of their kind to enter operation in Taiwan and are expected to anchor the country's initial hydrogen mobility trials.

As the end of 2025 approaches, Tesla has returned to the solar market and relaunched its residential solar leasing business. Active across renewable energy, AI, autonomous driving, and robotics, Tesla is making a major push before the Trump administration removes the 30% residential solar tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) at the end of the year. It is betting on an upcoming rush of early purchases.

Taiwan's offshore wind sector has crossed a pivotal threshold as Walsin Energy Cable System (WECS), a subsidiary of Walsin Lihwa Group, has officially inaugurated its submarine cable plant in Kaohsiung. The launch completes the last major segment of the nation's offshore wind supply chain—spanning turbines, underwater foundations, and maritime engineering—now fully integrated with domestic submarine cable production.

The SEMICON Japan 2025 exhibition is set to take place in Tokyo from December 17 to 19, 2025, with Topco Scientific (TSC) and its Japanese subsidiary Shunkawa participating alongside nine semiconductor suppliers from Taiwan, the US, and Japan. Together, they will showcase critical materials and equipment covering semiconductor front-end processing, power modules, and advanced packaging, as well as integrated solutions for smart energy-saving monitoring systems.

Taiwan's major castings supplier Yeong Guan Energy Technology Group, a key producer of components for wind turbines, machine tools, and heavy industrial equipment, is deepening its presence in China's rapidly expanding wind power market while advancing its Southeast Asia strategy. The company is set to complete its new Thailand plant by late 2025, with mass production scheduled to begin in 2026.

J&V Energy Technology's subsidiary Greenet, Taiwan's leading green electricity retailer, officially launched a 20-year green power wheeling agreement with telecommunications giant Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) on December 5, 2025. The deal runs from 2027 to 2047, with a total volume of 4.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), marking CHT's largest green energy partnership to date and establishing a benchmark for net-zero transformation in Taiwan's ICT industry.

Facing intensifying carbon-reduction pressures, traditional steelmaker POSCO Holdings has partnered with South Korean high-temperature water electrolysis firm Enforus to accelerate the domestic development of viable clean hydrogen production. Enforus aims to leverage advanced solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technologies to meet rising market demands over the coming decade.

In a strategic move aligned with global trends, TCC Group Holdings (formerly Taiwan Cement Corporation) Chairman Nelson An-ping Chang is steering the group's sustainable growth by positioning new energy as its "fourth leg." Balancing environmental responsibility with investor returns, TCC aims to establish a business philosophy that is sustainable, measurable, and inheritable.

Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has sought to integrate private-sector energy storage and generation facilities into the energy transition process since the launch of its electricity trading platform in 2022, according to company vice president Chin-chung Wu. Speaking at the 2025 Nordic Taiwan Sustainable Energy Forum, held on December 3, 2025, in Taipei, Wu highlighted that the platform aims to support Taiwan's energy transition with speed, quality, and cost effectiveness. According to the latest data, more than 1,650 MW of energy storage capacity is already part of Taipower's ancillary services, with an additional 3 GW of storage projects under construction or in the planning phase.

WiseChip Semiconductor general manager Wen-Qin Ye stated that overall operations have suffered from macroeconomic conditions and tariff impacts, falling short of expectations. However, the company has stabilized operations through inventory management and strengthened organizational efficiency, while actively developing new products. By diversifying its business, the company aims to pursue profitability and hopes that new applications in 2026 will contribute to revenue.

Denmark's state-owned power and gas operator Energinet has revised its green energy connection review process, aiming to improve the integration of green energy into its power grid and address grid bottlenecks. The company has recently shifted from a first-come-first-served queue system to an evaluation based on project readiness.

Taiwan's semiconductor industry's rush to secure green electricity has created market distortions that threaten the competitiveness of traditional industries, forcing companies like TCC Group Holdings to shoulder hidden carbon costs while chipmakers dominate renewable energy access.

Facing rapid growth in renewable energy, increased grid dispatch pressures, and decarbonization demands from hard-to-electrify industries like refining and petrochemicals, South Korea is combining existing nuclear power plants with water electrolysis technology to achieve a low-carbon, stable, and large-scale hydrogen supply. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has moved beyond basic research and, with government support, has begun verification projects.

Hydrogen power is expected to play a pivotal role in South Korea's smart grid as the country unveils its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) carbon reduction targets for 2035. Yet with resources and investments lagging behind other leading competitors, South Korea will need to reassess the role of hydrogen energy in sectors spanning power generation and transportation to heavy industry, if the country aims to see tangible results from advancing hydrogen power.