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(…) Although thermal energy remains the biggest source for electricity generation, electricity generated by renewable energy, in particular solar and wind power, has increased rapidly. This reflects partly the government's efforts to increase domestic energy supply to reduce Chinese Taipei's reliance on imported energy.

Renewable energy (solar, biomass, geothermal, ocean and wind energy) accounts for a small share of total electricity generation (Table A4.3). Nevertheless, wind and solar power generation has been increasing fast. The government expects that power generation capacity from renewable sources will account for 16.1% of total power generation capacity by 2030.

Table A4.3 Electricity produced and purchased, 2012-13
Item Electricity produced Share of Growth rate (%)
& purchased (GWh) total (%)
Renewable energy Year: 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013
Conventional hydro: TPC: 3,995 4,539 1.5 2.1 -9.9 -3.2
IPPs: 113 150 0.1 0.1 -2.3 -4.5
Hydro entrusted to TPC: 768 712 0.4 0.3 23.8 -11.4
Wind power: TPC: 803 748 0.4 0.4 55.9 1.5
IPPs: 730 869 0.3 0.4 44.0 15.4
Solar energy: TPC: 9 17 0.0 0.0 123.7 30.8
IPPs: 29 284 0.0 0.1 1,133 127.2
Subtotal: 5,546 7,319 2.6 3.4 6.7 0.6

In accordance with the Renewable Energy Development Act (promulgated in 2009), the TPC and IPPs must contribute to a renewable energy fund. The contribution is based on their annual power generation units, except the electricity generated by renewable energy. The fund is used to subsidize utilities when they produce or purchase electricity generated by renewable energy, mainly because the cost of generating electricity using non-renewable energy is lower than the cost using renewable energy. Under the Renewable Energy Development Act, the importation of equipment for use in generating renewable energy is exempt from import tariffs, provided that such intended use is verified and there is no domestic production of such equipment.

In 2012 the government launched the "Three Industries, Four Reforms" programme to accelerate the adjustment of the industrial structure. (…) The main strategies include incorporating service elements into the manufacturing sector, "technologizing" and "internationalizing" service industries, and adding innovative, aesthetic, and green elements into traditional industries, to create distinctive products.

In September 2012, the MOEA published an Action Plan for Industrial Structure Optimization, and announced the "Three Industries, Four Reforms" programme, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of its industries. The programme intends to break through the conventional division of industry, and intertwine the electronic sector with other sectors, such as services, and green energy. "Servicification" of manufacturing is one of the key themes in the programme, under which "smart life services" and "smart tool equipment manufacturing" are identified as key industries.

Green energy was identified as one of the "newly emerging industries". The authorities plan to focus on the development of the main industries, including solar photovoltaic energy, wind power (in the renewable-energy field) and LED lighting energy information and communications (in the energy-conservation field).

Chinese Taipei's GATS Schedule includes commitments in, inter alia, construction and related engineer services, distribution services, education services, and environmental services. Some of these services sectors are included its FTAs and ECAs (Table A4.5).

Table A4.5 Summarized trade regimes of other selected services

-Subsectors: 6. Environmental services: A. sewage services (9401); refuse disposal services (9402); other (9404, 9405, 9409)
-GATS: (1) unbound; (2) none; (3) none;(4) unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section
-FTAs (with El Salvador and Honduras/Guatemala/Nicaragua/Panama): No restriction
-ECA with NZ: No restriction
-Applied regime: Basic Environment Act

-Subsectors: 6. Environmental services sanitation and similar services (9403);
-GATS: (1) unbound; (2) none; (3) none; (4) unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section
-FTAs (with El Salvador and Honduras/Guatemala/Nicaragua/Panama): No restriction
-ECA with NZ: No restriction
-Applied regime: Basic Environment Act

-Subsectors: 6. B. consulting services incidental to nature and landscape protection (9406)
-GATS: (1) none; (2) none; (3) none; (4) unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section
-FTAs (with El Salvador and Honduras/Guatemala/Nicaragua/Panama): No restriction
-ECA with NZ: No restriction
-Applied regime: Basic Environment Act

Since joining APEC in 1991, Chinese Taipei has taken an active role in various meetings and initiatives. It supports and cooperates with other member economies in areas such as promoting ease of doing business, supply chain connectivity, structural reforms, SMEs, and energy efficiency. It underwent Individual Action Plan (IAP) peer Reviews in 2004 and 2007, and the 2014 IAP is currently being studied by the APEC Secretariat's Policy Support Unit.