Taiwan committed to developing renewable energy: President Ma

Want China Times, CNA 2014-09-01

Ma Ying-jeou speaks at the Youth Policy Forum in Taipei, Aug. 31.
(File photo/Fang Chun-che)

President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated Sunday that Taiwan remains committed to the development of renewable energy and will continue pursuing new energy resources.

"This is an era when people should not give up any energy options," Ma said, speaking before the national conference of the annual Youth Policy Forum held by the Ministry of Education. "Taiwan must spare no efforts to develop renewable energy," he said.

Ma added that Taiwan must determine what combination of energy resources are best for Taiwan and have the public's support.

He also said that the nation's renewable energy policy often faces a dilemma, since plans to build renewable energy-generating systems on land draw opposition from farmers, while creating sea-based power generation results in objections from fishermen.

Therefore, he has found that for a renewable energy development plan to be successful, the developer should first try to learn what local residents want and sign a mutually-beneficial agreement with local communities, Ma said.

In Taiwan, wind and solar energy are the main sources of renewable energy. The installed capacity of renewable energy-generated electricity accounted for 8.7% of the total, as of the end of 2013, according to the state-run Taiwan Power Company.

More than 300 young people attended the Sunday national conference of the Youth Policy Forum, for discussions on various issues ranging from culture, education and environmental protection to international and social matters.

Related Article:

Food banks in Taiwan launch alliance to share resources