TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) announced on Tuesday (Sept. 24) that an abnormal increase in electricity usage at his official residence has prompted an investigation. Cho committed to conserving electricity and requested a power company inspection to determine the cause.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) raised concerns over the residence's electricity consumption, which reached nearly 20,000 kilowatt-hours in two months, costing about NT$150,000. Huang criticized this as a waste of taxpayer money.
Cho thanked Huang for his vigilance and explained that the increase in electricity usage was unusual. Compared to the previous year, the residence saw a rise of 3,700 kilowatt-hours from April to June and about 3,900 kilowatt-hours from June to August. He mentioned that he would have the power company check for any electrical issues.
Cho also clarified that he didn't use the residence from May 20 to late June, when renovations were completed. Since then, he has only held a few meetings there. Cho stated his commitment to reviewing the electricity usage further and conserving power alongside the residence's security personnel.