TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As demand for industrial electricity increases, Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) said the government would promote energy conservation by extending subsidies for replacing older residential appliances.

Kuo made the remarks at an international forum on energy transformation, noting that the growth of the AI, semiconductor, and cloud service industries has made stabilization of power supply one of the government's top priorities. Kuo added that energy conservation is the key to promoting Taiwan’s "net zero goals.”

"For us, energy conservation is the cheapest energy," said Kuo. He said energy conservation and efficiency will be a focus for the government through a subsidy plan to replace old home appliances with cleaner ones, per CNA.

Kuo said enterprises' demand for green power is also increasing. To ensure that all businesses can buy green power, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will establish a government-owned power sales platform and a distribution method to assist companies purchasing offshore wind power. In addition to expanding wind and solar power, forward-looking energy technologies such as geothermal and hydrogen will be explored.

National Development Council Minister Paul Liu (劉鏡清) said the government is actively promoting energy transformation, creating more opportunities for green energy and sustainability in Taiwan. Liu said energy transformation will include talent cultivation, capital introduction, and other measures.

Liu said cooperation with the Ministry of Environment will help cultivate 96,000 green-collar talents by 2030. New jobs will help small and medium-sized enterprises accelerate their green energy transformation.

For funding, Liu said Taiwan’s insurance industry can invest in green energy construction. At the same time, the credit guarantee ratio will be increased from the previous 60% to 80%.