Taiwan to focus on solar, wind, bio energies: official

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The government will focus on developing solar power, wind power and bioenergy industries, which are estimated to churn out at least a combined NT$2 trillion (US$64.8 billion) in output value by 2025, a top energy official said.

Addressing the two-day 2008 Taiwan Global Technology and Industry Summit Forum, Yeh Huey ching, director-general of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA)'s Bureau of Energy, said that the government will work to stabilize material supplies and enhance key technologies for green industries.

Yeh said that more than 70 companies have already invested in the solar power industry, but they are now experiencing a shortage of silicon, a key material for solar panels.

In addition, the efficiency of the locally developed crystalline silicon solar cells still needs to catch up with that of the ones made by major global makers, Yeh added.

Yeh also pointed out that advanced countries had launched plans to develop next generation solar cells before 2000, while Taiwan has just started its plan to develop the solar industry in 2006.

Nevertheless, Yeh predicted that the production value of Taiwan's solar energy will reach NT$158 billion by 2010, NT$430 billion by 2015, and NT$1 trillion by 2025.

On the wind power industry, Yeh said that the government will promote the establishment of wind power facilities, increase domestic demand and encourage local companies to be part of the international supply chain to produce key components in the field.

Also, the government will import foreign technologies for the construction of wind machines and design typhoon-resistant or earthquake-resistant wind machines, Yeh noted.

According to Yeh's forecast, the wind energy industry will generate an output value of NT$3 billion by 2010, NT$20 billion by 2015 and NT$60 billion by 2025.

Speaking of the bioenergy industry in his presentation, Yeh explained that the government will develop drought-resistant and fast-growing crops.

The government will also increase the use of biofuels to expand domestic market demands and develop niche biotechnologies, Yeh added.

He said he expects the bioenergy industry will create an estimated NT$6 billion by 2010 in output value, NT$20 billion by 2015 and NT$76.8 billion by 2025.