The Bureau of Energy (BOE), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and British Office Taipei co-hosted the fourth Taiwan-UK Energy Dialogue on 5 July. The opening remarks were given by Mei-Hua Wang, Minister of Economic Affairs, John Dennis, Representative at the British Office Taipei, and Julie Scott, Head of Energy Diplomacy of Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Experts from both sides were invited to share knowledge and experiences on the topics of Offshore Wind and Port Promotion Policy, the Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero, and Carbon Emissions Reduction Policy for Net Zero Emissions.
The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Maritime Port Bureau (MPB), Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Economic Division, Taipei Representative Office in the U.K., Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Department for International Trade (DIT), Energy Systems Catapult, and BVG Associates, were invited to attend the Dialogue to exchange views and opinions.
"To fight climate change, we have announced the target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. We also published 'Taiwan's Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050' in March of this year, which includes 12 specific strategies; increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix is one of the key strategies," said Mei-Hua Wang, Minister of MOEA. "Taiwan and the UK share the common goals of continually developing low-carbon energy and achieving net-zero emissions. I hope both sides continue to exchange views in the energy field in the future."
John Dennis, Representative at the British Office Taipei, said: "I am delighted that our fourth Energy Dialogue has produced another round of rich discussions on our partnership as we work towards a net zero future together. Since the last Dialogue, it has been excellent to see Taiwan publish its net zero roadmap and take steps to enshrine its targets in law. Our growing partnership is perhaps most clearly evident in offshore wind, where we now have 36 UK companies set up here in Taiwan to support the development of the sector as it rightly aims to become a hub for the region. I am sure the joint projects agreed here will further deepen our already strong co-operation on energy and climate change."
With continued promotion of offshore wind power, port infrastructure construction has become a major issue. Chung-Hsien Chen, Director of Energy Technology Division, BoE, shared on Taiwan's offshore wind promotion policy and illustrated that MOEA expects to release 3 GW installed capacity from 2026 Q4 to 2027. The government has planned the Port of Taichung, Port of Anping, and other ports as bases of turbine pre-assembly and O&M services. Karl John, Offshore Wind Specialist, Energy Manufacturing and Infrastructure of DIT, and Jack Paterson, Managing Consultant from BVG Associates, also described the UK's experiences in the offshore wind industry and port policy.
Biomass has the advantages of carbon reduction, energy security, etc, and is a crucial strategy for the realization of net-zero emissions. Ru-Chin Chou, Director of the Department of Power Development, Taipower, shared Taipower's biomass power generation plan and analyzed the difference in coal-fired power plants between Taiwan and the UK. Joshua Frame, Policy advisor, Biomass Strategy, BEIS, and Carly Whittaker, Head of Biomass Innovation and Deployment, shared the UK's experience in biomass development and sustainability-related regulations. The two sides had discussions on the aspects of raw materials, technologies, and sustainable criteria, aiming to benefit biomass development in Taiwan.
Julie Scott said: "I am glad to have the opportunity to co-chair the fourth UK-Taiwan Energy Dialogue with Cheng-Wei Yu, Director-General of BoE, and welcome Taipower's visit to Drax Power Station. I am convinced that we can further enhance the bilateral collaboration on sustainable biomass energy, building on the links established through this Dialogue."
During the Dialogue, Taiwan International Ports Corporation and the UK reached an agreement to cooperate on Taiwan's offshore wind port infrastructure. Moreover, Taiwan and the UK will also cooperate on grid transformation as planned. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to all participants from both sides for sharing your insight and experience during the meeting," said Cheng-Wei Yu, Director-General of Bureau of Energy. "I am happy to see the progress of the Taiwan-UK joint research project on carbon emissions reduction and the advice given by both sides for Taiwan's pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050. I also look forward to working together to create mutual benefits while moving toward net-zero transition."
Spokesperson for Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-General, Chun-Li Lee
Phone: 02-2775-7702
Mobile: 0936-250-838
Email: [email protected]
Business Contact: Director, Chung-Hsien Chen
Phone: 02-2775-7770
Mobile: 0919-998-339
Email: [email protected]
Sources: MOEA
