Through the collective effort of the Legislative Yuan, the administrative agencies, and all pertinent sectors, the "Draft Amendment to Renewable Energy Development Act" passed the third reading today (29th). The Ministry of Economic Affairs appreciates all committee members for their support that collectively improve the environment for renewable energy development. The amendment aims to actively respond to international development trends and the public's expectations for the development of renewable energy. Highlights of the amendment include the addition of regulations on "Solar Panel Installation on Buildings" and the "Chapter for Geothermal Energy," with the purpose of creating a friendly environment for diversified development of renewable energy in our country in the future.

As explained by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in addition to the aforementioned highlights, this amendment also encompasses the removal of site restrictions relating to offshore wind power, small hydropower, and biomass energy, which expect to achieve multiple benefits to the provision thereof; other objectives of the amendment include installing rooftop solar panels on public buildings as the government's exemplary practices and increasing the incentives to encourage utilization of waste heat. The core contents of the amendment are summarized below:

I. Addition of regulations on "Solar Panel Installation on Buildings" and the "Chapter for Geothermal Energy"
1. Solar Panel Installation on Buildings:
In response to international development trends, newly added regulations prescribe that new buildings or additional or rebuilt constructions of existing buildings shall install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels of specified capacities or above on the rooftop, which will bring multiple benefits, such as roof insulation and increased green energy supply; they can be integrated into architectural design to avoid secondary construction for the aesthetics of the building.

2. Chapter for Geothermal Energy: specify administrative procedures of geothermal development.
(1) Regarding the application procedure, comprehensive regulations have been formulated in this chapter, and the central government shall establish a joint review mechanism with relevant local departments and committees to expedite the administrative procedure.

(2) The term of water rights has been increased from the original 2-3 years to 20 years, aligning water rights with the lifecycle of power plant and reducing uncertainties of the development.

(3) For sustainability and co-prosperity, in addition to requiring as much as 90% of tailwater reinjection after power generation to ensure sustainable use of local natural resources, the new amendment also takes into account the protection of local hot spring industry and the rights and interests of the indigenous people. Impact analysis reports of the hot spring industry must be submitted and consultation procedures for indigenous people should be implemented. The aforementioned multifaceted measures aim to speed up and ensure the development of geothermal energy.

II. Other Contents
1. Offshore wind power is no longer limited within territorial waters: Refocusing on the essential technical definition and responding to the international development trend of offshore wind power, development projects of offshore wind power will no longer be limited within territorial waters in aim to drive future technological development.

2. to relax the restrictions on the types of small hydropower generation: Encouraging the use of existing water conservancy facilities and bypass waterways for water diversion and power generation; allowing hydropower structures other than hydraulic water to combine power generation plan for diversified utilization of sites.

3. Public buildings' exemplary role: Concerning new buildings, or additional /rebuilt public constructions for existing buildings that are qualified to set up renewable energy generators, the wording of the articles has been amended from the current "should prioritize the installation" to "should install" devices for reinforcement effects.

4. Take waste heat utilization benefits into account: adding article stipulating that the central competent authority may consider the beneficial results of heat utilization of "general waste or industrial waste processed as fuel" and set incentives.

5. Biomass energy can be generated nearby to reduce emissions generated by collection and transportation: Under the premises of conforming to regional development and land use purposes, location restrictions on combustion-type biomass energy have been relaxed, biomass energy generators to process waste materials from nearby agricultural facilities, factories, and other facilities, which will help the recycling of industrial waste and lower the carbon emissions caused by transportation.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the amendment of the "Renewable Energy Development Acts" further releases potential renewable energy sites and integrates relevant administrative procedures for consistency, simplicity, and removal of restrictions, strengthening the foundation for the 2050 net-zero emission pathway. Details of ensuing implementation will still be regulated through relevant regulations and supporting mechanisms, where stakeholders and relevant non-governmental organizations will be involved in the formulation, creating clean electricity and air through the collective effort for the health of our next generation, and achieving the country's energy transition vision of energy, industrial, and environmental sustainability.

Spokesperson for Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-General, Chun-Li Lee
Phone: 02-2775-7702
Mobile: 0936-250-838
Email: chunlee@moeaboe.gov.tw

Business Contact: Director, Chung-Hsien Chen
Phone: 02-2775-7770
Mobile: 0919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaboe.gov.tw

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