Electricity in Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2024

In 2024, the Republic of China (Taiwan) relies heavily on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, with over 83% coming from gases and coal. Almost 42% of its electricity is derived from gas, while coal accounts for close to 39%. Clean energy sources contribute to nearly 17% of the total electricity mix, a sector dominated by solar energy at over 5%, followed by nuclear and wind energies, each providing slightly more than 4% and 3% respectively. Hydropower and other unspecified clean sources add lesser contributions, each making up around 2% or less, whereas oil accounts for approximately 1.5%. This significant reliance on fossil fuels underscores the urgent need to transition towards a cleaner energy mix to combat climate change and reduce air pollution's negative impacts.

Suggestions

To increase its clean electricity generation capacity, Taiwan can look to successful models in other countries that have achieved high levels of low-carbon electricity generation. For instance, France and Slovakia have set a gold standard by harnessing nuclear energy efficiently, generating roughly 68% and 60% of their electricity from it, respectively. Similarly, Denmark and Ireland have made remarkable strides in wind power, with Denmark generating nearly 59% of its electricity from wind, and Ireland reaching about 33%. Taiwan can adopt innovative strategies from these nations, investing in the expansion of nuclear facilities and deploying more wind farms. By examining and potentially implementing policies from countries like South Korea, which also maintains a strong nuclear energy share of 31%, Taiwan can further enhance its clean energy landscape and diminish dependency on fossil fuels.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Taiwan is marked by both growth and challenges, especially in the nuclear sector. In the early 1980s, nuclear energy witnessed a period of growth, adding about 18 TWh in total over five years. However, the early 2000s saw a mixed trend of slight reductions and increases in nuclear output. A concerning decline began around 2015 and persisted through 2024, with significant drops in nuclear generation, including a major decrease of almost 6 TWh in both 2015 and 2023. Fortunately, this decade has also introduced some progress in wind and solar energy. In 2022, solar generation increased by nearly 3 TWh, and a recent wind energy improvement in 2024 added more than 4 TWh to the grid. Embracing and expanding these positive trends in wind and solar, alongside reinvigorating the nuclear sector, could play a critical role in paving Taiwan's path towards a sustainable and resilient electricity system.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources