The government has set a target of increasing the output of renewable energies to contribute 10 percent of the nation's total electricity output by 2010, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said.
Ministry officials said yesterday that the 10 percent goal would require 5.13 megawatts of electricity, most of which would come from wind power -- with an estimated output of 2.15 megawatts by 2010.
Energy from hydropower, biofuels and solar power would constitute the remaining supply gap, they said.
According to MOEA, taking into account the fluctuations inherent in wind power, by 2010 that output might result in the generation of 5.74 billion kilowatt-hours per year, translating into a market value of NT$11.48 billion (US$348 million).
Moreover, the annual energy output from wind power would be the equivalent to that generated by 1.43 million kiloliters of oil.
Wind power facilities could also help eliminate the emission of some 3.45 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, they added.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Energy will sponsor an energy conservation contest to promote efficient use of energy, a bureau official said yesterday.
According to the bureau's plan, 15 energy-efficient enterprises or institutions will be selected for public recognition in July.
Prospective applicants are welcome to register for the contest now through March 31, the official said.
Businesses or groups from both the public and private sectors are invited to take part in the contest by submitting applications or through recommendations from related agencies, associations, governments, the Industrial Technology Research Institute or Taiwan Green Productivity Foundation, according to the official.
The selection will cover two categories -- manufacturing and non-manufacturing -- and will take into account industry-specific characteristics, the amount of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
A panel of judges consisting of energy saving experts and academics is scheduled to choose the 15 enterprises best achieving sound performance in energy conservation after primary, secondary and final evaluation stages, the official noted, adding that the winners will each be awarded NT$300,000 at a citation ceremony slated for July.
MOEA officials also announced that the ministry is expected to reach the second stage of its biofuel development scheme by June 2007, supplying B1 biodiesel to two cities.
The two cities, which are yet to be selected, will have biodiesel supplied to all gas stations within the city limits, with the more expensive biodiesel sold at the same price of normal diesel, thanks to MOEA subsides.
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