TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Audit Office Auditor-General Chen Jui-min on Tuesday (April 2) urged Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) to strengthen its management system and increase revenue generation and expenditure reduction. Chen pointed out that the reasons for Taipower's losses include electricity prices lower than costs and high interest on debt.
Chen's comments came in response to Kuomintang Legislator Lin Ssu-ming's questioning of Taipower's consecutive annual losses and the government's flawed energy policy. Lin also questioned the rationale behind continuing to subsidize Taipower.
While reporting the final accounts at the Legislative Yuan, Chen announced that the government will continue to subsidize Taipower with NT$100 billion this year.
Lin further asked when Taipower would be able to turn its losses into profits and whether the company would continue to run at a deficit if the energy policy is not revised.
Chen responded that it would be difficult to make a profit if the selling price is lower than the cost. He emphasized that green energy is a trend and should continue to aim for carbon reduction goals.