Energy Transition in Taiwan

Introduction

Taiwan is ongoing its energy transition.

Electricity Sector

Renewable Capacity Expansion Plans

The following sources of renewable energy are planned to increase capacity significantly by 2025: solar, offshore wind, biogas, onshore wind, and geothermal. Below is a chart of the goals of expansion, adopted from Renewables are blooming; is the power system ready? A Prognosis on Residual Load Flexibility in Taiwan by 2025.

Type of Renewables	Current Capacity (as of 15.11.2017)	Planned Capacity by 2025
Solar	1.286GW	20GW
Onshore Wind	0.682GW	1.2GW
Offshore Wind	0.136GW	5.5GW
Biogas	0.741GW	0.813GW
Geothermal	0GW	0.2GW

Goals of Electricity Generation and Carbon Emission Intensity

The goal of renewable sources in electricity generation share is 20% by 2025. Meanwhile, coal use is to be reduced to 30%, compared to 45% in 2016. The carbon emission intensity of electricity generation is to be reduced from 0.529 kg CO₂ eq/kWh in 2016 to 0.395 kg CO₂ eq/kWh by 2025.

Prognosis of Residual Load and Re-dispatchment Schemes

According to the International Energy Agency, there are four phases of integrating variable renewables onto the grid. With about 1% of electricity generated by solar and wind, Taiwan is currently in the first phase, when grid integration is still not a major problem for renewable energy sources.

However, if 20GW of solar is installed as planned by 2025, the residual load curve will change drastically. By then, conventional power plants will have to vary their output accordingly. Also, the risk of congestion in transmission lines must be analyze beforehand, and weak spots in the power system must be strengthened in prior.