TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Sunday urged Taiwan to adopt a “solar power 2.0” strategy to overcome a handful of isolated corruption cases that have slowed green energy development and undermined Taiwan’s economic interests.

In a Facebook post, Tsai said Taiwan must strengthen its solar policy to ensure energy security and maintain the industry’s international competitiveness. She noted that all three major political parties have set a goal of achieving 30% renewable energy generation by 2030, reflecting a rare cross-party consensus.

Tsai said recent legislative amendments have made environmental impact assessments for solar projects significantly more stringent. A series of corruption cases has further raised public doubts about the industry’s future, she said.

She emphasized that corruption should be thoroughly investigated regardless of political affiliation, noting that many ongoing cases date back to her administration. Individuals who exploit green energy development for illegal gain harm not only the industry but also Taiwan’s economy and national interests, she added.

Tsai said companies must exercise self-discipline, while the government should create conditions that support the healthy development of the sector. Allowing the entire industry to be stigmatized due to a few cases risks halting green energy progress and running counter to global trends, she said.

Calling for an upgraded “2.0” approach, Tsai said Taiwan should restructure the distribution of industry benefits, increase citizen participation, and promote local development to rebuild public trust and secure the nation’s energy future.