President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) says electricity is a “national strength,” and pledges to accelerate Taiwan’s second energy transition and build a more resilient power grid as demand continues to rise.

Speaking at the 80th anniversary celebration of Taiwan Power Company this Thursday, Lai said ensuring a stable power supply will be critical to supporting industry and economic growth.

The president outlined plans to advance a second phase of energy policy focused on expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and developing smart storage systems while keeping Taiwan on track towards its 2050 net-zero emissions goal. Meanwhile, he added, demand is expected to grow rapidly, driven in part by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Lai called for faster progress on grid upgrades. He commented that while the distribution system has been improved, further work is needed on extreme weather resistance. Planned measures include expanding underground power lines, strengthening disaster resilience, and advancing smart grid development.

President Lai said Taipower’s technical expertise remains a key asset and pledged continued investment in training, staffing, and workplace safety.

Tseng Wen-Sheng (曾文生), Taiwan Power Company chair, said the utility faces mounting pressure to cut carbon emissions while maintaining a reliable supply amid geopolitical uncertainties and surging demand from AI-related industries.

Taiwan Power Company will continue diversifying its energy mix, Tseng said, with six of eight planned thermal power plants already under construction. He added that should nuclear energy regulations be revised, the company will move forward with inspections and increase communication with the public as part of the diversification efforts.