TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will delay its solar power capacity target of 20 GW to November 2026 due to challenges in ground-mounted solar projects, Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) announced on Wednesday (Oct. 16).
While addressing the Legislative Yuan's Economics Committee, Kuo emphasized that the energy policy prioritizes stable power supply with a 2030 goal of 50% natural gas, 30% renewable energy, and 20% coal.
As of August 2024, Taiwan has installed 13.62 GW of solar power, with rooftop solar projects already meeting targets. The government continues to promote installations on agricultural, industrial, and public rooftops.
Energy Administration Director-General Yu Cheng-wei (游振偉) added that discussions with the Ministry of the Interior (MOI, 內政部) regarding Article 12-1 of the "Renewable Energy Development Act" (再生能源發展條例) are underway, with sub-laws expected by the end of the year.
Ground-mounted solar projects face delays due to environmental and land use issues. The government prioritizes fishery and electricity symbiosis and is considering feedback mechanisms to accelerate project approvals.
Kuo acknowledged that rooftop solar progresses smoothly, but ground-mounted projects are "a bit delayed," with completion expected by November next year.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) highlighted a 6.8 GW shortfall in ground-mounted solar by 2026, requiring 6,000 hectares of land and interdepartmental negotiations.
Yu stated the current plan includes 8 GW rooftop and 12 GW ground-mounted projects, with rooftop targets met to ease pressure on ground installations.
Kuo assured that ground-mounted solar will be achieved through fishery and electricity symbiosis, and the Ministry of Agriculture has released approximately 20,000 hectares of land.
