Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) Premier Lai Ching-te reiterated on Saturday the government's resolve to move away from nuclear power and make Taiwan a nuclear-free homeland by 2025.
Speaking at an energy forum held in Tainan, Lai said that to achieve the goal, the country will have to increase the proportion of electricity generated by green energy to 20 percent of the total.
The administration of President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly pledged to eliminate nuclear power in Taiwan by 2025 and also its dependence on fossil fuels while actively developing alternative energy sources.
The government has called for 50 percent of Taiwan's electricity to be generated by natural gas, 30 percent by coal and 20 percent by renewable sources by 2025.
About 6.5 percent of the electricity generated in Taiwan in 2016 was from renewable sources, including hydropower, according to state-run utility Taiwan Power Company figures.
During the forum, Lai told attendees that the Cabinet will continue to work toward President Tsai's energy goals, but also called on local industries and members of the public to help support the government in phasing out nuclear power.
Lai, who was elected Tainan mayor in 2010 before becoming premier on Sept. 8, said he has always aimed to develop Tainan into a low carbon city during his time in office.
And that goal hasn't changed, Lai said, adding that he hopes to see Tainan be at the forefront of renewable energy adoption in Taiwan, with access to solar panels on the top of every household.
Meanwhile, the premier also thanked the president for launching the green energy technology park project in Tainan in November last year to help promote the competitiveness of local industries and bring new career prospects for the people of Tainan.
The forum, hosted by Tainan City government and directed by the Board of Science and Technology under the Executive Yuan, also saw the attendance of representatives from various government branches, private local and foreign businesses, academia, and non-profit organizations.
