MOEA Announces Draft Amendments to Certain Provisions of the Renewable Energy Development Act

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has proposed partial amendments to the "Renewable Energy Development Act," with a draft officially announced on October 23, 2024. This proposal invites public feedback to ensure a more comprehensive and refined framework for renewable energy development policies, while strengthening the legal foundations for diversified green energy as part of the second phase of Taiwan's energy transition.

According to the MOEA, the "Renewable Energy Development Act" has undergone 2 amendments in 2019 and 2023, resulting in significant advancements in renewable energy installations across Taiwan. This latest revision re-examines the definitions of renewable energy equipment, enhances the management and penalties for completed installations, and relaxes land-use regulations for geothermal directional drilling. Key highlights of the draft amendments include:
1. Revision of terminology for biomass and renewable energy generation equipment, excluding waste utilization from incentive eligibility (Revised Articles 3, 4, and 13).
2. New provisions requiring developers to dismantle and recycle or otherwise appropriately dispose of equipment upon license expiration, self-use registration certificate, or renewable energy certification document expiration (Revised Article 4-1).
3. Addition of obligations for owners or managers of new, expanded, or renovated buildings meeting specific criteria to manage and maintain photovoltaic equipment during the building's lifespan (Revised Article 12-1).
4. Establishment of penalties for developers who fail to dismantle, recycle, or maintain photovoltaic equipment as per the above requirements (Revised Articles 20-2 and 20-3).
5. Considering the benefits of directional drilling in geothermal exploration and development phases, regulations for land use and acquisition for directional wells will be relaxed under conditions ensuring adequate depth and minimal surface impact (Revised Articles 15-6 and 15-7).
6. To continue effective measures promoting renewable energy, legal authorization for renewable energy certification will be adjusted, and the regulatory status of joint booster station management will be elevated (Revised Articles 3-1 and 8).