TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As a result of local opposition, Taiwan could set up green power plants in neighboring countries like Japan and the Philippines, and import the energy at a lower cost than if it were locally produced, Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) said Tuesday (Oct. 15).

Kuo said objections from local governments and residents impeded power generation projects, but the industry could not afford to wait, per Radio Taiwan International. To address the problem, he said Taiwan should learn from Singapore and build power plants in neighboring countries.

State-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) would not necessarily build the factories, but the government would assist corporations with the projects. Taipower would still be responsible for moving the energy into Taiwan by ship or undersea pipelines.

With the government aiming to cut carbon emissions and achieve zero emission levels by 2050, the demand for green energy will only grow. Singapore imported power from Australia 4,800 kilometers away, so it should be no problem for Taiwan to establish a green power plant on the Philippines island of Luzon just 300 km away, according to the minister.

Kuo named three forms of energy as possibilities: wind, solar, and geothermal. He also said American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene would assist Taiwan in finding suitable locations for the overseas power plants.