TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua confirmed adjustments to electricity rates in Taiwan, including those for household use below 330 kilowatt hours (kWh), during a report to the Economics Committee of the Legislative Yuan on Thursday (March 7).
Kuomintang Legislator Yang Chiung-ying voiced her disapproval of the hike in household electricity prices, recognizing the hardships faced by citizens during ongoing inflation. She suggested directing the burden toward households with high electricity usage.
Yang proposed an assessment to prolong the service of nuclear power as a solution, noting that 80% of Taiwan's power is generated through natural gas and coal. With fluctuating international fuel prices affecting production costs, nuclear power could be a viable alternative.
In response to Yang's suggestions, Wang mentioned that prolonging the use of nuclear power would require consideration of safety regulations and a unanimous consensus on nuclear waste. Regarding the cost of renewable energy, she assured that the annual feed-in tariff (FIT) rates are set to decrease "in the future."
Wang indicated that if the electricity price for household use under 330 kilowatt hours (kWh) increases by 5%, it would result in an additional NT$34 each month.
Yang contested this, saying Taipower's deficits were rooted in long-term policy issues. She disagreed with the current administration's decision to pass off deficits to the residents through price increases after continuous freezes in past electricity prices.