The potential role of renewable electricity generation in Taiwan

Abstract

In 2017, Taiwan announced that it would replace nuclear power, which accounts for approximately 4.43% of its total energy supply (or 8.30% of total electricity supply), with renewable energy by 2025. Thus developing reliable and stable renewable energy sources has become an urgent need. This study analyzes the portfolio of renewable energy technologies available to achieve such a goal. In doing such we consider potential of power generated from municipal solid waste (MSW), animal manure, energy crops, crop residues, wind power, and photovoltaic (PV) sources. The results show that up to an additional 5896 GWh (or million kWh) could be generated from recycled MSW, 3107 from animal manure, 6440 from energy crops and crop residues, 3685 from solar and 609 from wind power. Collectively, an increase in renewable energy production could expand to supply as much as 6.15% of current usage. Meanwhile, before replacing nuclear the use of fossil fuels can be reduced by up to 4.51%, increasing energy security, but a greater promotion on renewable energy development should be focused when nuclear power is phased out. We also discuss the cost of such a transition.