Energy democratization in Taiwan

Although climate change has become a real threat for global communities, the growing demand for fossil fuels has led many countries towards alternative forms of energy. Thus, nuclear power has experienced a resurgence in recent years, as it is viewed as a viable ‘low-carbon alternative’. ¹ However, the devastating accident that occurred when three nuclear reactors were disabled after a tsunami hit the northeast coast of Japan in 2011 have raised concerns about the safety of nuclear power. In Taiwan, the Fukushima accident has had a massive impact on public’s perception of nuclear power, (Ho et al. 2014; Liang and Lee 2014), which has led to a series of anti-nuclear power actions, including advocacy that halted the construction of a new nuclear plant in New Taipei City. Thus, as nuclear energy is no longer an option, due to public disapproval, Taiwan’s government has instead started to develop other forms of energy. For instance, beginning in 2009, the government not only initiated a series of renewable energy proposals, but has also introduced the FIT (Feed in Tariff) system, which is based on EU practices and policies.