Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs Enhances Green Energy Sandbox Initiative for Greater Flexibility

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is reviewing and refining the Green Energy Sandbox Plan, according to the Energy Administration. Domestic corporate users, particularly those focused on exports, have a high demand for green energy (such as RE100), and advanced manufacturing processes require a higher percentage of green energy. In response, the MOEA has upgraded the 2023 "Flexible Green Energy Allocation" sandbox plan, allowing users to purchase green energy in smaller increments, rather than buying the entire output of a green energy plant. This ensures that green energy is distributed to the facilities and processes most in need of higher green energy ratios.

The Energy Administration also pointed out another improvement: green power plants, even before obtaining an Electricity Business License (EBL), can participate in the sandbox plan during the trial operation phase. This enables them to supply green energy during the trial period, meeting industry demands. These adjustments in green energy allocation mechanisms aim to further enhance Taiwan's industrial competitiveness on the global stage.

The MOEA explained that Taiwan's renewable energy development focuses on offshore wind power and solar photovoltaics. Offshore wind power has already reached 3 GW and is projected to reach 5.6 GW by 2026. The government is also committed to helping reduce the costs for businesses to connect to the grid on schedule. In terms of solar power, 13.6 GW has been installed, with the goal of reaching 23 GW by 2026. This will be achieved through regulatory amendments, including requiring solar panels on new building rooftops and prioritizing initiatives such as "fishery and electricity symbiosis" to promote solar power development.

Lastly, the MOEA highlighted that large domestic enterprises have already secured green energy purchases from offshore wind farms for 2025–2026, totaling 7.5 billion kWh annually. The proportion of green energy will continue to rise in the coming years, further stimulating the green energy market. Although the progress of green energy deployment has been delayed by the pandemic, war, and inflation, this situation is not unique to Taiwan. The government remains committed to addressing these challenges efficiently and ensuring the smooth development of green energy infrastructure.