TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Ministry of Economic Affairs' Green Energy Industry Promotion Center (GEIPC) Deputy CEO Luke Cheng (鄭亦麟) was detained on Tuesday over allegations of corruption involving data center development projects.
Prosecutors allege that Cheng pressured state-owned utility Taipower to fast-track a feeder line application for a data center project backed by Tungwei Construction and HD Renewable Energy, per UDN. In return, he allegedly received a one-time payment of NT$2 million (US$65,500) and a monthly payment of NT$100,000.
Authorities said the payments were transferred to Cheng’s brother’s bank account and that cash also flowed between other members of Cheng’s family. As a result, prosecutors have launched a broader investigation into his relatives, with a particular focus on his brother.
The search was initially delayed because Cheng’s brother was not in Taiwan. However, after the investigation was leaked on Aug. 19, prosecutors expedited the search to prevent potential evidence tampering.
Cheng, a protege of former Premier Lin Chuan (林全), began his political career as an associate researcher at the pro-DPP New Frontier Foundation, where Lin was chair, per Storm Media. When Lin was appointed premier under then-President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), he named Cheng as director of the Cabinet’s Office of Energy and Carbon Reduction.
Cheng later rose to become deputy CEO of GEIPC, which serves as the main liaison for Taiwan’s offshore wind farm development. While some within the MOEA questioned the speed of his rise, then-Economics Minister Shen Jong-chin (沈榮津) reportedly held him in high regard.
Taipower employees who had worked with Cheng described him as assertive but said he did not appear to be the type to accept bribes, per China Times. An MOEA insider also noted that Cheng’s family appeared financially stable, casting doubt on the motive for corruption.
Most recently, former Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) recruited Cheng to lead Taiwan Smart Electricity & Energy Co., Ltd., which is responsible for selling electricity generated from offshore wind farms to small businesses and utility providers, per NOWnews.
The Tsai's office responded to the allegations, stating that using green energy initiatives for personal gain is "unacceptable." Her office added that the anti-corruption initiative for the green energy sector, launched in 2021, is beginning to yield results, per Liberty Times.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) emphasized that green energy corruption is not confined to any one political party and said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) supports pursuing all cases with equal diligence, per Newtalk.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) has instructed the MOEA to strengthen oversight of green energy development.
