Administrative arrangement for offshore wind power developments in Taiwan: Challenges and prospects

The purpose of this paper is to understand Taiwan's current developments in offshore wind power (OWP), particularly focusing on administrative challenges and the prospects of a mechanism to coordinate among governmental agencies. Despite the fact that the government of Taiwan has started to conduct research to advance technology related to offshore wind turbines, little attention has been paid to the establishment or adjustment of the legal framework and administrative mechanism that would permit effective and streamlined OWP development. Japan's administrative mechanisms are examined, and may be instructive; Lessons from the Japanese model include categorizing OWP under ocean policy rather than energy policy. Furthermore, a Headquarters for Ocean Policy was established as the highest coordinative and decision-making mechanism, and involves the Prime Minister, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of Ocean Policy and others, and they usually meet on a regular basis. Thus, a coordinative mechanism similar to that of Japan, be it the newly established Ocean Council or the reinstatement of the Commission for the Promotion of Marine Affairs, could be a workable solution to address current challenges and difficulties faced by the development of OWP in Taiwan.