TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said Thursday Taiwan’s power supply remains secure even as a Wall Street Journal report claimed gas reserves could be exhausted in 11 days if there was a blockade.

CNA reported Kung as saying the government is expanding storage to improve energy security. He noted coal-fired units, hydropower, and renewable sources can cover demand if gas supplies are disrupted.

Also, a national security official has said reserves could last longer than 11 days with rationing. However, restrictions would hit semiconductor production and ripple across the global economy.

Taiwan imports 97% of its energy, with 30% of liquefied natural gas coming from Qatar. Experts say raising US imports, now 10%, could reduce risk.

The government is also expanding renewable energy. According to Taiwan Energy Market Briefing, Taiwan plans to reach 60-70% of the power grid being sourced from renewable energy.

Liquefied natural gas is natural gas chilled into liquid form so it can be shipped from suppliers like Qatar or the US to Taiwan. Any supply disruption quickly affects Taiwan’s electricity security because the country relies on LNG for about 30% of its power.

Raising US LNG imports would reduce Taiwan’s reliance on Qatar and other single suppliers. Such an act lowers the danger of supply cuts if one source is disrupted.