News Roundup: Taiwan High Speed Rail in Trouble

Energy

Months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, the debate surrounding nuclear energy in Taiwan continues unabated. In June, several Taiwanese environmental groups held protests over Taiwan's nuclear energy policy and the construction of Taiwan's beleaguered fourth nuclear plant. Former Vice President Annette Lu criticized President Ma for refusing to shift policy towards a nuclear-free Taiwan. After meeting with Lu and several other academics, Premier Wu Den-Yih expressed his desire to gradually replace Taiwan's nuclear power with green energy. However, Wu's statement included the caveat that phasing out nuclear power would not take precedence over Taiwan's economic growth, electricity pricing stability, or CO2 emissions goals.

Anti-nuclear protests continue to drive Taiwan's energy debate

Recently returned from a visit to Germany, DPP 2012 presidential candidate Tsai Ying-wen reaffirmed her support for her proposed "non-nuclear homeland policy." Tsai expressed a desire to learn from Germany's efforts to eliminate its nuclear power generation by 2022. In regards to Tsai's policy, The China Post called for better transparency and information on the costs, both economic and environmental, associated with a non-nuclear Taiwan. At Taiwan Green Study, fellow Fulbright Scholar John D'Angola asks where will the alternative energy sources to replace nuclear come from?

On July 4th, Bureau of Energy Director General Jerry Ou announced that Taiwan's green energy economic output will exceed NT $1 trillion by 2015. This represents a tripling of Taiwan's NT $380 billion output in 2010. Taiwan's green energy sector is expected to draw NT $200 billion in private investment and create 110,000 jobs over the next four years. The Bureau of Energy's report also noted that Taiwan produced 3 GW of solar pv in 2010, surpassing Japan and reaching second place world-wide. Taiwan also claimed the world's top-spot in LED component production and is fifth overall in the installation of solar water heaters.

Environment

The Taipei Metro was recently cited as an example of urban rail transit's ability to reduce air pollution. Previously, researchers were unconvinced that mass transit systems improved air quality, as gains made by reduced automobile use could potentially be erased by larger numbers of overall commuters. A recent study conducted by researchers at UC Merced found that Taipei's MRT led to significant reductions in carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide levels.

At a recent meeting in Germany, Kaohsiung signed onto to ICLEI's Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB). LAB seeks to improve local ecosystems and support sustainable development and its membership includes several international metropolises such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Mexico City.

Taiwan's publishers are increasingly turning to "stone paper" to improve environmental standards. Unlike conventional paper, stone paper is composed of roughly 2/3 powdered stone with the remaining material coming from recycled plastics. Stone paper requires less intensive chemical treatment, halving its energy requirements during production and reducing costs. In addition to saving trees, the paper is extremely durable, water-proof, and decomposes naturally.

Environmental activists in Taipei protested the EPA's decision to approve construction of a Taipei-Danshui freeway along the Danshui river's north bank. The protestors oppose the project on the grounds that it will destroy important wetlands along the river bank and is less effective than other solutions to traffic congestion (such as increasing the number of MRT trains).

Carbon

In June, the EPA announced that it will provide Taiwan's 22 local governments with guidelines to conduct city and county carbon inventories. Several of Taiwan's cities have already initiated CO2 reduction measures and the EPA believes city-scale CO2 policies can simultaneously drive local action and international cooperation. Taiwan Today also reported on amendments to Taiwan's Commodity and Vehicle License taxes that will incentivize low-carbon transportation.

Food

Taiwan has emerged as a major culprit in the international crusade against shark fin soup. An animal welfare group reported that Taiwan kills 3.86 million sharks annually for the dish, mainly consumed at wedding banquets. Conducted between 2000-2008, a Pew Environment Group study found that Taiwan was responsible for 5.8% of the world's shark catch, placing fourth internationally.

Taiwan remains amongst the world's largest consumers of shark fin

In the wake of Taiwan's DEHP scandal where industrial-use plasticizer was found in several popular beverages, Premier Wu Den-Yih spoke on rebuilding Taiwan's image at the annual Food Taipei fair. Taiwan seeks to refocus its reputation as a producer of high-quality foods while it continues to investigate those responsible for the plasticizer debacle.

Transportation

Surprising and unsettling Taiwan's rail commuters, it was recently revealed that the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is sinking. In June, Public Construction Commission Minister Lee Hong-yuan announced that unless action was taken to correct the situation, THSR would be unusable within 10 years. The problem lies with the loss of groundwater along the THSR's elevated tracks. The groundwater is being siphoned by mostly illegal wells and the government has thusfar failed to strictly enforce the laws preventing groundwater loss. Lee Hong-yuan stated the problem can be solved by shutting down the wells. More controversially, Lee has called for limiting development alongside the THSR. The THSR runs through many agricultural areas and development along its axis was expected to boost local economic growth. However, when faced with the total collapse of Taiwan's landmark infrastructure project, land developers may have to accept reduced profits.

Taiwan's High Speed Rail is confronted with damaging issues

In an article detailing China's efforts to integrate Taiwan via cross-strait transportation connectivity, the Asia Sentinel highlights the central role of Taichung. China has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure in the Pingtan islands off Fujian province and is seeking to create a streamlined Pingtan-Taichung transportation network. China has unveiled a fleet of high-speed passenger ferries which would allow Taichung residents to reach the Mainland in a crisp two and a half hours. However, the enhanced connectivity is contingent upon Taiwanese government approval and little action is expected prior to the 2012 presidential elections.

Water

The Guardian has an interesting profile of Taiwan's water woes. The piece contrasts the high rates of water recycling employed by industrial leaders such as Taiwan Semiconductor with the low-tech, wasteful water use of Taiwan's agricultural sector. This imbalance is more striking due the disparity in economic production: Taiwan's farms consume over 70% of the nation's water supply while contributing only 1.6% to annual GDP.

In Tainan, the local government has proposed and received support for the construction of a large man-made lake. With an estimated cost of NT $1.2 billion, the lake will serve as a crucial reservoir while simultaneously improving the area's ecology and urban renewal efforts.

News Roundup: Energy Policy Shift

Energy

As Japan's nuclear crisis continues to make international headlines, its impact on Taiwan's political dialogue and energy policy has already been substantial. Nuclear energy, widely unpopular even before the Fukushima meltdown, figures to a major campaign issue in the 2012 Taiwanese presidential election. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ying-wen has recently promoted a "non-nuclear homeland" (非核家園) policy which would eliminate all nuclear power in Taiwan by 2025. The plan would allow Taiwan's three existing nuclear power facilities to expire at their scheduled dates while finishing construction on the fourth plant without allowing it to become operational.

Amid public protests and increased pressure from legislators, the Ma administration has scrambled to offer its own alternative path on an energy policy that lowers Taiwan's dependence on nuclear energy in favor of renewable energy sources. President Ma has rejected plans to completely eliminate Taiwan's reliance on nuclear energy. However, the government has already announced that it will not seek to extend the lifespan of Taiwan's first nuclear power plant beyond its scheduled expiration date in 2019. Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Minister Shih Yen-shiang has pledged to more than triple Taiwan's share of renewable energy in power generation from its current 6% to 19-20% by 2030 and release a new comprehensive energy policy by July.

Off-shore wind will play a larger role in Taiwan's future energy mix

Under the MOEA's current 2030 forecast, nearly 50% of Taiwan's renewable energy will come from solar and offshore wind power. Experts recently called for increased deployment of small-scale wind power, especially in remote areas. The MOEA has also issued a five year plan to reduce water, electricity and oil consumption, saving an estimated 100,000+ metric tons of CO2.

But the sudden calls for scaling back or eliminating Taiwan's nuclear energy sources have placed the government in a bind. Viable plans to replace the 20% of Taiwan's electricity that its six nuclear reactors generate (CO2 free no less) are scarce. In response to a suggestion to replace Taiwan's three nuclear power plants with Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Shih estimated the cost would exceed NT $1 trillion (US $35 billion). Shifting from nuclear to LNG would also fail to address Taiwan's dependence on fossil fuel imports and increase CO2 emissions.

Water

Taiwan continues to suffer through one of its worst droughts in recent years. The Water Resources Agency (WRA) announced in early May that water rationing had commenced in Southern Taiwan. The water supply in Central Taiwan remains tight, but heavy rains in mid-May have temporarily precluded the need for second-phase water rationing.

The drought has renewed attention on Taiwan's inadequate water policy. In a recent op-ed piece, Taiwan Today emphasizes that Taiwan faces a crisis of water management, not water shortage. An estimated 3/4 of Taiwan's annual rainfall (2nd highest in the world) evaporates or is lost during delivery. In addition, Taiwan lags far behind world leaders, such as Singapore, in water reclamation, treatment, and recycling. Lee Hong-yuan, Chairman of the Executive Yuan's Public Construction Commission, echoed the importance of water management and drew attention to the proper pricing of water and greater interdepartmental collaboration.

Environment

Taiwan's environmental movement scored a major victory with the announced reversal of the Kuokuang Petrochemical plant in Changhua. On April 22, President Ma officially withdrew his support for the NT $600 billion (US $20 billion) project, followed by an application withdrawal from Kuokuang's corporate board five days later. Although it was estimated to generate thousands of jobs and over NT $300 billion (US $10 billion) in annual revenue, the petrochemical plant was to be developed on a large plot of wetlands and drew opposition due to its potential negative impact on water consumption, air pollution, and biodiversity conservation. The reversal is not an outright rejection of the plant as other sites in Taiwan may yet be suitable. However, the high-profile failure of the application has spurred speculation that Taiwan's petrochemical industry will increasingly look to develop its assets across the strait and in other receptive Southeast Asian nations.

Taiwan's environmental activists achieve victory against Kuokuang

A recent study of two constructed wetlands near Northern Taiwan's Dahan River provided evidence to the success of Taiwan's artificial wetland development. The study conducted by Taiwan's National Science Council (NSC) demonstrated that Taiwan's man-made wetland ecosystems have attracted significant biodiversity, improved wastewater treatment, and reduced CO2 emissions. Perhaps most encouragingly, the artificial wetland ecosystems became very similar to their natural counterparts in only a short period of time.

Transportation

The government's push for the development of electric vehicles (EV) has moved into the public transit sector. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) showcased two electric bus models that it hopes will eventually be integrated into Taiwan's mass transit framework. In the private sector, Taiwanese automaker Luxgen drew praise for its premium EV sedan at the Shanghai auto show. Additionally, Chinese automaker Lifan has reached an agreement to sell 620 EVs to the Taiwanese market, the first appearance of Chinese-made EVs in Taiwan. Lifan hopes to boost sales up to 5,000 vehicles by next year.

Carbon

The government's resolve to carry through its low carbon homeland policy has been called into question by The China Post, but President Ma recently reaffirmed the government's pledge to develop six low-carbon cities by 2014. In May, the EPA hosted a forum inviting energy specialists from Denmark to share their low-carbon expertise in Taipei. In addition to addressing topics such as energy supply, efficiency, and sustainability, the forum focused on Denmark's success in raising electricity prices without substantial political fallout.

Food

Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) has announced measures to enhance Taiwan's food security. Taiwan currently produces 32% of its own food, a lower percentage than other East Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea. The government has set a goal of 40% self-sufficiency by 2020 and may increase strategic growth of food supplies overseas in a partnership with private corporations and Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies.

In May, the EPA pushed forth an initiative to attach CO2 labels to food industry products. Over 100,000 food industry members were invited to take part in the program which has been touted as both a CO2 reduction and cost-saving measure. The initiative will complement the EPA's drive to cutback waste created by Taiwan's take-out food culture. In order to reduce Taiwan's disposable garbage, such as the 1.5 billion plastic cups consumed last year, the EPA has encouraged beverage and fast food providers to give larger portions to customers using their own containers.

News Roundup: Nuclear Fears and more

After a break, Taiwan Sustainable Cities is back with a roundup of Taiwan's recent energy and environment news.

Energy

In the wake of Japan's nuclear crisis, fears about disaster mitigation and nuclear power have been renewed in Taiwan. Nuclear energy plays an important role in Taiwan's energy production and environmental discourse. Taiwan currently has three nuclear power plants that provide roughly 20% of the nation's electricity, but a recent survey indicated that only 35.4% of respondents supported nuclear power. Authorities from Taiwan's Atomic Energy Council (AEC) have attempted to alleviate public concern regarding the safety of Taiwan's reactors. However, the Taiwanese legislature has suspended construction of Taiwan's Lungmen nuclear power plant. Subject to several delays, Taiwan's controversial 4th nuclear plant had been recently rescheduled for a 2012 opening. Opposition members have demanded that the new plant be able to withstand a 9.0 magnitude quake (Taiwan's current nuclear facilities are estimated to be able to endure 6.0-7.0 seismic activity). Responding to the crisis, Taiwan Power Company has issued a statement that it will seek to reduce power supplied from nuclear sources in favor of alternative energy.

Renewed concern over nuclear energy

Taiwan's energy demand continues to soar on the back of the economic recovery. Encouragingly, Taiwan's energy efficiency has also experienced significant gains. The Bureau of Energy reported that Taiwan's energy efficiency increased by 4% in 2010, doubling the government's annual goal of 2% from 2008-2015. The Taiwanese government recently upset solar investors by reducing the solar feed-in tariff by 30%. The government cited falling solar PV equipment costs for the reduction but subsequently announced increases for feed-in tariffs on off-shore and on-shore wind energy by 30% and 10% respectively. And for those who missed it, Renewable Energy World offers an excellent article on Taiwan's transition to sustainable energy.

Water

The Hushan Reservoir in Yunlin County is scheduled for a 2014 opening. As an article in Taiwan Today notes, Hushan has reignited the debate over systematic issues with Taiwan's water usage and policy. The buildout of Hushan and other large reservoirs in Taiwan have been criticized by environmental groups for damaging the ecosystem in order to serve the water needs of large industry. Reservoirs in Taiwan have been plagued by high silt levels, reducing their efficiency. The construction of dams and reservoirs have also done little to improve issues such as water leakage and high rates of water consumption.

The central government is maintaining caution about increased cross-strait water dependency. Jinmen County officials have suggested the notion of importing water from China to meet the island's needs. Ironically, it is an anticipated influx of Chinese tourists that would precipitate the demand for imported water. Although a Jinmen-Mainland water connection would represent a very small exchange, the issue highlights the sensitivity of cross-strait energy-water cooperation.

Carbon Emissions

As the legislature continues debate on a cap and trade policy, Taiwan witnessed its first carbon trading transaction in February 2011. The government is also considering other ways to reduce Taiwan's carbon footprint. The EPA announced its plans to implement a framework to promote carbon neutrality. A "carbon neutrality management platform" will create a public registry of carbon neutral actions and layout guidelines for corporations and private citizens to reduce their CO2 emissions. On Arbor Day, President Ma led a symbolic afforestation effort as 30,000 trees were planted around the island. Taiwan is over 1/3 of the way towards achieving its goal of planting 60,000 hectares of forest by 2018, sequestering 300,000 tons of CO2 each year. Despite recent government action, a January 2011 survey conducted by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy revealed that the majority of respondents believed the Taiwanese leadership was not doing enough to prevent climate change. 61% of those surveyed supported a national carbon tax and 52.7% approved of electricity rate hikes to increase the amount of renewable energy.

Transportation

The Taipei MRT completed its latest extension connecting the Bannan and Wenhu lines. By 2015, four main MRT lines will undergo additional expansion, accompanied by a new circular line and Taoyuan Airport extension. Owners of real estate near new MRT stations can rejoice: values surged in 2010 for apartments above or close to MRT stations in New Taipei City.

Taipei MRT continues to expand

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) reaffirmed its green transportation goals for Green Island and Xiaoliuqiu Island. As a part of its effort to promote ecotourism and low carbon development on Taiwan's outlying islands, MOTC aims to replace all gasoline-powered motorcycles on both islands with electric models over the next four years. Furthering the push for electric vehicles, two Taiwanese government-funded institutes recently announced their formal collaboration with U.S.-based Underwriter Laboratories (UL). UL will help establish national standards for Taiwan's burgeoning electric vehicle market.

Green Buildings

The new Hsiangshan visitor center at Sun Moon Lake opened in February 2011. The winner of the Landform Series competition, the structure utilizes a large green-roof to blend in with its natural surroundings. On the heels of its "Asian Green Cities Index," Siemens Taiwan announced the launch of a new smart building model. The initiative plans to unite smart grid technology, renewable energy, and supply-side energy management to integrate green buildings and smart cities.

International Engagement

Despite Taiwan's murky political status, there are still 23 countries with which Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations. President Fernando Lugo of Paraguay recently made a state visit and encouraged Taiwanese investment in energy-intensive industries. Tuvalu, a Polynesian island nation of less than 11,000 residents, has also remained a Taiwanese ally since 1979. On a recent visit, President Ma announced a program to deploy Taiwanese solar energy and LED technology to improve the island's rural electrification. In the past, Taiwan implemented a similar program with fellow ally Burkina Faso.