Taiwan’s Vice Minister of Economic Affairs, Lai Chien-Hsin, has reiterated the critical role geothermal will play in the island’s energy transition.
A 14th May press release issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Energy Administration flagged recent comments by the Vice Minister from the 2025 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference.
The event, hosted by the Ministry, took place in Taipei in April.In his opening remarks, Vice Minister Lai said promoting renewable energy is critical to achieving sustainability and energy transition goals in Taiwan.
“With Taiwan's favourable geological conditions, it has completed the construction of six geothermal power plants,” the statement read. “This year, more geothermal power plants will be connected to the grid.”
The Vice Minister also welcomed geothermal scholars, developers and experts to the conference, stating that collaboration between international enterprises and local Taiwanese firms can contribute to the island’s net-zero emission goals and address climate challenges.
The Taipei conference brings together leading geothermal experts, government representatives and industry leaders from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, the Philippines, and other countries to explore cutting-edge technologies and the future development of geothermal energy.
Held in a hybrid format with both in-person sessions and online streaming, the conference attracted more than 700 participants from around the world, including representatives from academia, industry, government and research institutions.
This year’s agenda featured a broad range of topics, including the status of geothermal energy development in Taiwan, industry trends, advanced technologies and innovative application, and the role of local governments in promoting geothermal power.
The Energy Administration and the Geological Survey and Mining Management Agency presented Taiwan's geothermal policies and exploration progress.
CPC Corporation and Taiwan Power Company also delivered updates on development strategies and technical breakthroughs, which have attracted investment and interest from both domestic and international companies.
On the second day of the conference, there was also a site visit for to CPC Corporation's Yuanshan No.1 Well, Taiwan's first deep geothermal exploratory well.
“Jointly developed by Academia Sinica and CPC, and currently drilled to a depth of 1,820 metres, this well marks a key milestone for Taiwan's deep geothermal progress,” the Ministry statement noted.
It added that Taiwan aims to strengthen global partnerships, foster innovation and accelerate the growth of its geothermal sector as part of moves to build a long-term and sustainable energy sector.