Ministry unveils plan to cut Taiwan’s electricity use – 台北時報

The Ministry of Economic Affairs on Wednesday unveiled a draft energy conservation plan to reduce electricity use in Taiwan by 35.13 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) by 2030.

The plan drawn up by the Bureau of Energy comprises a slew of energy-saving strategies and measures covering industry, commerce, housing, transportation, and technology research and development.

Industry users are expected to be responsible for nearly 50 percent of the energy savings, while commercial and residential electricity savings would account for the rest, the bureau said.

Photo: CNA

Industrial energy conservation would focus on improving the efficiency of electric motors that consume the most power, as well as promoting energy-efficient industrial air-conditioning and air compressor systems, the bureau said.

For residential users, the plan would raise the minimum energy performance standards for refrigerators and air-conditioners to level 3, the most stringent in the world, it added.

The government would provide incentives to encourage the use of energy-efficient products and equipment, and evaluate offering tax credits for purchases of energy-saving home appliances, according to the plan.

The plan would also require low-voltage power users, such as retail stores, restaurants and households, to install smart electricity meters, aiming for 6 million units by 2030, the bureau said.

Commercial energy-saving measures include replacing old fluorescent lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting, promoting the use of energy-saving appliances, including air-conditioners and refrigeration equipment, and improving the efficiency of commercial air-conditioning systems, it said.

The plan is part of the government’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050, as announced by the National Development Council.