Climate & Energy Security

Navigating Geopolitical Turbulence with Taiwan’s Energy Transition Policy

In Taiwan, concerns about energy security centre on its heavy dependence on thermal power generated from imported fossil fuels, which is often described as the Achilles’ Heel in its security. According to statistics from the Energy Administration, in 2024, 39.3% of the electricity generation was from coal-fired, and 42.4% was from liquefied natural gas (LNG), all of which is imported. Renewables account for 11.6% of the share. Meanwhile, the government had set an energy transition target to have an energy mix containing 50% natural gas, 30% coal, and 20% renewables by 2025, making LNG the largest component of the energy portfolio. In response to this goal, the government plans to increase LNG reserves from the current 11-day supply to 14 days by 2027. However, Taiwan’s heavy reliance on LNG has emerged as a politically contentious issue, particularly in light of concerns that such dependence increases the nation’s vulnerability to price volatility driven […]