MOEA Promotes Green Energy in Collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to Combat Illegal Activities

Regarding media reports of criminal extortion targeting foreign green energy companies, the MOEA stated that promoting green energy is not only a crucial measure for carbon reduction but also a pressing need to enhance the international competitiveness of domestic industries. To safeguard the industry development environment, the MOEA has been working with the Ministry of Justice to prevent green energy-related crimes and to combat illegal activities. In collaboration with local governments, efforts are underway to ensure the transparency of the application process, providing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for applicants to follow, thereby eliminating illegal practices during green energy initiatives.

The MOEA explained that future efforts to promote green energy will focus on 3 main directions: clear central-local procedures, single-window assistance, and continued crime prevention.

1. Clarifying Central-Local Operational Procedures:
The application process for solar power involves coordination with both the power and agricultural sectors. For the power application procedures, the MOEA has already convened three stakeholder meetings with the Ministry of Justice, local governments, solar power associations, and related stakeholders. The discussions focus on conducting a "local information session" prior to any application, specifying requirements for a "local consent form" review, and ensuring ground-mounted solar facilities maintain a minimum distance from nearby residences. Legislative measures are in progress to address these topics.

2. Establishment of the Single Service Window for Solar PV Assistance:
This initiative adopts case-specific tracking and addresses issues through joint administrative reviews. If the media-reported cases arise, the platform can also facilitate resolutions. Additionally, collaboration with judicial units has been strengthened, and a large-scale case management mechanism (covering projects exceeding 20 MW) has been established with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of the Interior to track the progress of case reviews and ensure procedural transparency.

3. Combating Green Energy-Related Crimes:
Since 2021, the MOEA and the Ministry of Justice have formed the "Coordination Platform for Combating Crimes That Hinder the Development of the Green Energy Industry," achieving notable success. According to the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, between 2021 and the end of September 2023, prosecutors have investigated 136 cases, detained 33 individuals, and indicted 91 individuals. This cross-ministerial collaboration aims to eliminate green energy crimes.

The MOEA will continue to collaborate across ministries to develop and implement concrete and effective mechanisms to support the second phase of energy transition and move toward the goal of achieving net zero emissions.