UNCONVINCED? Despite opposition by developers, citing high development costs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs lowered offshore wind energy rates by 7.64 percent

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 01, 2020
By: Natasha Li  /  Staff reporter

The Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday announced the government’s finalized feed-in tariff (FIT) rates for renewable energy this year, which included a minor change to the original proposed rates for onshore wind energy generation.

Following three public hearings in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung last month, the ministry said that it has decided to increase FIT rates for energy generated by onshore wind power with a capacity of less than 30 kilowatts (kW) from NT$7.7916 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to NT$7.7998, primarily citing high maintenance costs.

Meanwhile, FIT rates for offshore wind energy are to be retained from the original proposal at NT$5.0946 per kWh, declining 7.64 percent from NT$5.516 per kWh last year, the ministry said.

The finalized rates might come at a cost to offshore wind energy developers, many of which have voiced opposition to adjusting the FIT rates.    [FULL  STORY]