To cope with the potential shortage of power supply and promote power saving in summer, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) organized a kickoff ceremony for the "Energy-Saving Month-the Energy Saving Actors" while the summer electricity rates become effective from June 1, 2016. Besides awarding the prizes for the best energy-saving counties and cities, Deputy Minister Jong-Chin Shen led the non-government organizations and corporations to take energy-saving actions and also encouraged the public to participate in reducing electricity peak demand during the summer months.
The Energy-Saving Month in 2016 focused on the concept of "Energy Saving Actors", aiming to inspire government organizations, industries and the public to take actions. Through the practical power-saving behavior (e.g. dressing lightly to decrease electricity consumption fromair conditioner, installing high-efficiency lighting to carry on power savings and going outdoors) to inhibit summer peak load, the national action plan on energy conservation and carbon reduction can be implemented in daily life.
The MOEA indicated that except for the users who consume electricity less than 120 kWh, the summer electricity price rises 13~27% per kWh from June 1, 2016, which is estimated to increase the average monthly electricity bills for about 110 NTD per household. As the temperature is scoring and electricity consumption repeatedly hit the new highs recently, the MOEA also reminded that the more power consumption during the summer months (June to September) can lead to the higher charge per kWh. Therefore, for those who take the energy saving actions, the electricity expenses can be saved up to 6.13 NTD/kWh.
The MOEA further pointed out that the public sector is taking the lead in energy conservation. The government organizations and schools are asked not to turn on air conditioners if the temperature is lower than 28 degrees Celsius, the ideal temperature setting for air-conditioning systems should be around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. As a consequence, the dress code during office hours is suggested to be light, appropriate and comfortable rather than formal suit with tie except specific occasions such as inauguration ceremonies, international meetings/conferences and banquets, the receptions to foreign visitors and interpellation in Legislative Yuan.
On the other hand, to promote power conservation, the MOEA holds a contest by collecting all local resources. It is hoped to help the local governments to explore the potential and to build up the roadmap for power saving by disclosing the electricity consumption information. In the meantime, the MOEA also established energy diagnostic centers to expand the services for small and medium energy users so that the power saving measures can be implemented.
To enhance the fruitful results of energy conservation and carbon reduction from industries and the public, the industries are encouraged to take voluntary energy saving actions such as no leak of cold air from air conditioners, indoor temperature not lower than 26 degrees Celsius. The large energy users are asked to adhere to regulation for saving one percent of power consumption per year. On top of that, large power users are urged to practice energy self-management and optimization in addition to joining demand bidding program so that the power peak demand can be lowered. At the same time, the MOEA works with local volunteers and schools to produce more energy saving helpers, aiming to increase the public awareness and spread the concept of power saving across Taiwan.
The Bureau of Energy (BOE) stated that the "Energy-Saving Month-the Power Saving Actors" is to prompt the public to take actions in energy conservation. It is hoped to raise the public awareness of energy conservation and to build up the environment of low carbon via summer power saving contest, voluntary energy saving agreement, internal energy saving service group, energy diagnostic centers for small and medium energy users and power saving for specific energy users.
Last but not least, the BOE has set up the website of Ah-Kuang's Power-Saving Treasure Map (http://www.energypark.org.tw/map/) to encourage the public to go outdoors for reducing energy consumption. It is worth mentioning that the website collected many demonstration spots where the public could experience power saving and also provided the routes of power saving tours for learning and recreation. It is expected to get through the summer peak for electricity demand and construct a sustainable energy-saving society by the cooperation among governments, industries and the public.
The challenges of energy security faced by Taiwan are far greater than other countries while 98 percent of energy supply relies on imports and the power supply system is isolated. With the increasing electricity consumption from air-conditioning systems each year, the summer peak load gets rising as well. Therefore, the public's participation in energy saving is imperative so that electricity can be consumed efficiently, the growth of economy can be stabilized and the electricity demand can be met.
Spokesperson for Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-general, Ling-Hui Chen
Phone Number: 02-2775-7702
Mobile: 0936-331-761
Email: lhchen@moeaboe.gov.tw
Media Contact: Director, Shu-Fang Kao
Phone Number: 02-2775-7773
Mobile: 0918-400-668
Email: sfkao@moea.gov.tw
Technical Advisory Contact: Senior Specialist, Wen-Hsin Lin
Phone Number: 02-2775-7716
Mobile: 0912-578-534
Email: whlin@moea.gov.tw