TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部), the government agency overseeing industrial and energy policy, unveiled a new anti-corruption platform Thursday (June 26) specifically targeting the small hydropower development sector. The initiative aims to bolster transparency and foster collaboration between various government agencies as Taiwan pushes forward with its ambitious green energy transition. Deputy Minister Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信) underscored the critical importance of openness and interagency cooperation during the launch event, pointing to a series of recent public consultation meetings as essential steps in building trust with stakeholders.
The Water Resources Agency (WRA, 水利署), a key regulatory body managing Taiwan's water infrastructure and resources, organized a formal ceremony for signing a memorandum of understanding and conducted an informational seminar introducing the platform's capabilities. According to Deputy Minister Lai, the new digital system will coordinate weekly consultations involving local government officials, private sector representatives, and judicial prosecutors, while fostering partnership with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ, 法務部) to support Taiwan's broader climate commitments. Lai revealed that government authorities have already conducted four community engagement sessions to incorporate diverse perspectives into the platform's development, adding that the system features a specialized portal providing public access to regulatory standards and relevant information.
Director-General Lin Yuan-peng (林元鵬) of the Water Resources Agency emphasized the environmental advantages of small-scale hydroelectric facilities, acknowledging their modest energy production capacity while stressing their role in Taiwan's renewable energy portfolio. Lin voiced optimism that the newly implemented anti-corruption framework would effectively prevent improper influence in the approval process and create a more transparent regulatory environment for developers. The agency has methodically identified and cataloged 86 locations across the island with suitable conditions for small hydropower installations, information it intends to make publicly available to accelerate development timelines for potential projects.
The Water Resources Agency intends to advance small hydropower development guided by three core principles: stability of energy production, safety of infrastructure, and environmental sustainability throughout project lifecycles. Officials will emphasize comprehensive feasibility studies and thorough potential assessments during early design phases to ensure projects meet these standards before proceeding to construction. The anti-corruption platform will serve as a central repository for disclosing pertinent project information, enabling better risk management for both government-operated facilities and privately developed installations across Taiwan's diverse geographical regions. ◼
