Taiwan's offshore wind sector may benefit from lower costs as US policy changes ease global supply chain pressures, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Acer founder Stan Shih, senior economic advisor to Palau, announced on April 15 that Taiwan and Palau will launch collaborative initiatives in zero-carbon shipping and renewable energy sectors under the Partnership Initiative, aiming to create economic opportunities that could attract US-based Palauans back to their homeland.

US President Donald Trump has intensified tariff measures in a bid to clamp down on tariff circumvention through Southeast Asia and other third-party locations. His latest actions, aimed at closing long-standing loopholes, have disrupted global solar supply chains and intensified scrutiny on countries serving as intermediaries for Chinese-made products. The new strategy follows years of limited success from previous trade wars and marks a more aggressive posture on trade enforcement.

The global hydrogen energy industry has been increasingly investing in liquid ammonia as a key carrier for facilitating international transport. Industry experts point out that energy developments based on ammonia and hydrogen go hand in hand, and countries should prioritize the development of diverse hydrogen carrier supply chains in the short term, given that liquid hydrogen supply and transport technology are not yet fully mature.

Taiwan-based construction company San-Ti Group has achieved significant results for its diversification into the local energy market, with its subsidiaries, North-Star International and Santi Renewable Energy, benefiting from the rising popularity of vehicle electrification. As Taiwan increases investments in the AI and semiconductor sectors, the San-Ti Group is optimistic about industrial electricity demand.

In contrast to tariffs specifically aimed at sectors such as the automotive and semiconductor industries, US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariff" approach has instigated a broad and sweeping impact across global markets. Taiwanese manufacturers, who traditionally maintained limited engagement with the US market, have unexpectedly been caught in the crossfire. This policy has significantly affected Taiwan, jeopardizing its established solar industry, ongoing challenges, and future opportunities.

E-Formula Technologies is actively growing its presence overseas with governmental and private sector partnerships in the Philippines and Japan, providing integrated smart energy services as part of the global trend toward net-zero emissions. According to company chairman Peter Chang, the only path to a truly economically valuable energy solution is by integrating energy saving, generation, and storage services.

Japan's Nikkei 225 plummeted more than 1,700 points, or over 5%, on April 9 as the latest set of US tariffs, including a massive 104% levy on Chinese imports, took effect. Rising trade tensions between the US and China have created uncertainty for businesses operating within China, including Apple. The tech giant's iPhone production is significantly dependent on Chinese manufacturing, which could be impacted by the ongoing economic dispute.

While the aggressive US tariff policy is heaping heavy pressure on Taiwan's industrial operations and strategic planning, Edwin Liu, president of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), emphasized that Taiwan must turn this crisis into an opportunity for transformation. He urged Taiwanese industries to avoid destructive price wars in saturated markets and instead target niche or "blue ocean" opportunities, leveraging the island's technological strengths to stay ahead.

Once hailed as a cornerstone for achieving net-zero goals, hydrogen development is losing steam globally amid soaring construction costs and geopolitical headwinds. Many countries are now pivoting to more immediate, cost-effective technologies.

In a strategic move amidst rising global trade tensions, the US has inaugurated its first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pilot production line. This groundbreaking facility, a collaborative effort between Taiwan's Aleees and Israel's ICL Group, marks a significant step towards establishing domestic leadership in lithium battery materials.

Taiwan Cement's (TCC) European subsidiary, Atlante, which focuses on energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging services, has announced the establishment of Spark Alliance in collaboration with three leading charging service providers: France's Electra, the Netherlands' Fastned, and Germany's Ionity. This new alliance is currently the largest and most comprehensive EV charging station coalition in Europe.

China has imposed new export restrictions on seven medium and heavy rare earth elements—samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—through a joint directive from the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs. Although intended to curb US access, the move could have far-reaching consequences, with potential disruptions across the robotics sector and its broader supply chain.

Global trade tensions are escalating as US President Donald Trump implements widespread tariffs in his second term, while the European Union's ambitious carbon border tax faces a potential one-year delay, further complicating the outlook for international carbon markets.

Texas is pioneering advanced energy storage technologies as part of a broader push to enhance grid stability and expand renewable capacity, addressing growing power demands — including from data centers projected to consume 9% of the US electricity by 2030.

As Darfon's de-inventory process finally coming to an end, a more robust supply chain as well as better-integrated group resources are gradually falling into place. Andy Su, chairperson of Darfon, believes 2025 is a year of healthy growth for the company. As market demand continues its slow rebound and past investments begin to pay off, Su expects Darfon's green energy business to reach a new growth peak starting in 2026.

As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) slows, battery manufacturers are adjusting their procurement strategies to manage costs. South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI is exploring increased use of Chinese battery equipment following discussions at a recent shareholders' meeting, citing improvements in quality and cost-effectiveness.

Taiwan's state utility Taipower faces significant losses and calls for price hikes primarily due to soaring fossil fuel costs that power 80% of the island's electricity supply, not from renewable energy subsidies as some have suggested.

The Trump administration is disrupting US energy policies with executive orders that roll back clean energy initiatives and emphasize fossil fuels. In February, Trump established the National Energy Dominance Council to guide energy policy, highlighting traditional resources while notably excluding wind and solar power.

The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) swore in Chih-ching Yang as its new director on March 26. Yang hopes to move Taiwan's industrial parks toward intelligence, security, and sustainability.

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has signed a battery supply deal with Polish utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) to deliver lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for a 1GWh energy storage system (ESS) project in northern Poland. Scheduled to go online in 2027, the facility is designed to boost renewable energy integration and stabilize the local power grid.

Lealea Group's subsidiary Mundus Smart Energy is set to capitalize on its Japanese energy storage investments by 2025. The company anticipates revealing strategic partnerships in Japan next quarter, along with new development projects and the completion of a 2MW high-voltage storage facility by year-end.

Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing (CHEM) CEO and President, Hui-Chuan Kuo, announced that the company secured a new order worth NT$3.5 billion (approx. US$110 million) in March 2025, bringing its current orders to NT$39.3 billion. The company's production capacity is set to increase by 20% by 2025, with priority given to GIS products for Japan. Additionally, CHEM plans to establish manufacturing facilities in the US alongside major semiconductor foundries.

Energy resilience is vital to a nation's economy, and electricity costs directly impact national competitiveness, according to Pegatron Chairman T.H. Tung. He urged Taiwan to invest more in developing high-value components and services within the power industry.