Taiwan H2 energy development roadmap
Partnered with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) in Taiwan, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a research institute in Taiwan, has released a technological development plan for the application of hydrogen energy in Taiwan, in line with the country’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The roadmap includes policies, plans, projects, and regulations pertaining to the development of hydrogen energy technology and the establishment of a hydrogen supply infrastructure, as well as the use of hydrogen to generate electricity and its application in vehicles and industrial settings.
ITRI believes that hydrogen energy will play a crucial role in Taiwan’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions. By 2050, it is anticipated that 25% of electric buses and vehicles would be fueled by hydrogen fuel cells.
Taiwan is now developing revisions to laws that will incorporate net-zero emissions targets by 2050. To meet this goal, Taiwan will begin its shift to a low-carbon economy by utilizing mature green energy and carbon reduction technologies.
Over the long term, the island will target zero net emissions by investing in hydrogen energy, the circular economy, and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies and solutions.
Main fields of application
Taiwan’s hydrogen strategy focuses on two main fields of application in the short term: power generation and industrial settings.
Hydrogen energy can be used as a buffer to provide stable power supply when needed, and it will be used in the form of hydrogen co-firing in gas turbines.
In addition, hydrogen will be used in mixed-fuel and single-fuel burning methods to gradually replace petrochemical burning in power generation.
Hydrogen can also be used in steel and petrochemical manufacturing processes to decrease carbon emissions.
By 2050, it is expected that 25% of electric buses and vehicles will be fueled by hydrogen fuel cells.
The way to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050
To achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Taiwan has developed a comprehensive transition plan based on four fundamental strategies: energy, industrial, lifestyle, and social.
The transition will entail an investment in mature green energy and carbon reduction technologies. Taiwan will also invest in hydrogen energy, the circular economy, and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies and solutions. The government has pledged to spend NT$900 billion ($30.7 billion) by 2030 towards achieving the net-zero emissions goal.
Taiwan’s industries are export-oriented, and the government aims to break into the global green supply chain. The government will focus on research and development in green energy, smart grids, and energy storage equipment. By 2050, renewable energy should account for more than 60% of Taiwan’s power supply, while hydrogen should account for around 10%, and thermal power generation with carbon capture around 20%. In 2020, coal provided 45% of Taiwan’s electricity, while liquefied natural gas provided the rest.
To achieve the net-zero emissions goal, Taiwan has also introduced a carbon fee system for large emitters. The Climate Change Response Act, passed by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, sets a legally binding target of no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means that any such emissions would be balanced by initiatives to offset them, including using carbon capture and storage projects or planting trees.
The timeline for Taiwan H2 energy roadmap
There is no specific timeline provided for the implementation of the hydrogen energy development roadmap in Taiwan.
The roadmap was presented by ITRI in July 2022, and it is likely that the implementation of the roadmap will take several years. Taiwan is still developing revisions to laws that will incorporate net-zero emissions targets by 2050.
It is clear that Taiwan is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is actively working on developing hydrogen energy technology and infrastructure to achieve this goal.
