The European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT)‘s Low Carbon Initiative (LCI) on April 27 hosted a briefing, featuring DSET Energy Security and Climate Resilience Program Director Tsaiying Lu. The session focused on Taiwan’s energy resilience amid geopolitical tensions and global supply disruptions.
Lu emphasized that Taiwan’s dependence on imported energy makes its power system sensitive to disturbances in sea routes. Disruptions such as military exercises or shipping restrictions may delay deliveries, raise costs, and disrupt logistics. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is particularly vulnerable due to limited delivery flexibility, making stable imports essential to maintaining the electricity supply.
Dr. Lu explained that Taiwan can manage short-term disruptions, as exemplified by the Strait of Hormuz crisis, through coordination among different energy sources, emergency backup units, and suppliers for domestic generation. She identified diversifying supply sources, strengthening regional coordination, and improving communication with shipping stakeholders as key strategies for mitigation.
Dr. Lu also highlighted the critical importance of flexibility in maritime logistics. She suggested that expanding LNG receiving and storage capacity, enhancing the readiness to mobilize vessels to carry cargoes from alternative sources, and enabling cargo rerouting would improve Taiwan’s adaptability during disruptions. Lu stressed that energy security relies not only on supply, but also on logistics, preparedness, and effective coordination.
In the Q&A session, most industry participants reported limited preparedness for extended disruptions, identifying electricity supply and shipping delays as key vulnerabilities. Industry feedback underscored that rerouting delays—not just higher costs—pose significant challenges, especially for port-based businesses. While near-term energy supply appears stable, Lu emphasized that major events such as a Taiwan Strait blockade or quarantine would have immediate and severe regional economic impacts, underscoring the need for robust contingency planning and cooperation with allied countries.
