Taiwan Gears Up for Summer Electricity Rates: High-Voltage Users Face Early Increases

Taipower Announces Summer Electricity Rate Adjustments for High-Voltage Consumers Starting Mid-May, Impacting Key Industries and the Nation's Energy Landscape.

Taipei, Taiwan – May 5th, 2024: Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) has announced that approximately 26,000 high-voltage electricity users across Taiwan will experience increased summer electricity rates starting May 16th and continuing through mid-October. This decision, reflecting ongoing efforts towards energy conservation, targets a significant segment of the island's power consumption.

Typically, summer electricity rates are in effect from June through September, aiming to incentivize reduced energy consumption during peak demand periods. These rates were initially implemented in 1989.

However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs extended the high and extra high-voltage user summer rate period in 2023. This extension, reflecting concerns related to climate change, specifically affects major consumers such as science parks, department stores, and hotels.

While these high-voltage users represent less than 1 percent of Taiwan's electricity customer base, they account for over 60 percent of the total electricity consumed, according to Taipower data. The move underscores a concentrated effort to manage energy usage among the largest consumers.

In contrast, Taiwan’s 14 million residential and small business users will continue to pay summer electricity rates within the traditional timeframe: from June 1st to September 30th. This difference highlights the tiered approach to energy management adopted by the Taiwanese government and Taipower.