A Study on Regulations Mandating Obligation on Renewable Energy in Taiwan

Abstract

The shift toward renewable energy has become a global trend today. In the past, power producers or the private sector were encouraged to install renewable energy equipment mainly through incentives (e.g., feed-in tariff, tax credits). Some countries also impose “renewable portfolio standards”, which mandate power producers to include RE. However, it is rare to see any mandatory requirements on electricity users anywhere in the world. Since 2018, Taiwan’s government has started to draft the RPS-TW to establish such obligation; but as a new mechanism, the greatest challenge lies in formulating feasible requirements that are apt to Taiwan’s circumstances. This study aimed to assist Taiwan’s government in this effort by formulating content that was feasible and meets external expectations regarding the applicable entities, scope, and methods of fulfillment. Once the draft had been revised accordingly, the public (electricity users, environmental groups, general public) were actively consulted, and the draft was modified and optimized based on widely collected feedback. The regulations were ultimately promulgated on 31 December 2020.