TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) declared Taiwan now holds the world's strictest standards for solar energy environmental assessments following new regulations passed Monday (Nov. 24) by the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament. The minister expressed support for the assessments but regretted legislators' lack of scientific discussion before approving the stringent amendments to existing environmental impact requirements for solar photovoltaic systems.
Minister Peng told the Parliament's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee (立法院社會福利及衛生環境委員會) that any development with environmental concerns must undergo mandatory assessment. The minister warned the new stringent standards could significantly impact Taiwan's solar energy development plans and timeline. The Ministry of Environment (環境部) is closely monitoring developments and expects the Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部) to engage in additional discussions about implementation possibilities.
Taiwan's legislators approved comprehensive amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (環評法) that impose stringent new requirements on solar photovoltaic systems across the island. The Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, mandated environmental assessments for developments in 10 specific site types, including national scenic areas and geologically sensitive zones. Rooftop installations and smaller self-use solar systems remain exempt from these new regulatory requirements under the revised legislation. ◼