How Green Energy Could Strengthen Australia-Taiwan Relations
Australia and Taiwan are exploring green energy ties to boost their friendship and ensure energy security in the Indo-Pacific region
Australia, Taiwan, Green Energy, Hydrogen, Semiconductors, Energy Security
Canberra: Australia is looking to become Taiwan’s go-to for green hydrogen. Taiwan wants to build a “democratic supply chain” to secure its energy needs.
Did you know Taiwan makes most of the world’s advanced semiconductor chips? They hold a whopping 68% of the global market share. These chips are in everything from smartphones to laptops, making them super important for staying connected.
The Taiwanese government is keen to partner with friendly nations to support energy-hungry industries, especially chip manufacturing. In fact, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the biggest chip maker, used over 6% of the island’s total power in 2021.
As AI tech grows, the demand for power is only going to rise. Taiwan’s Deputy Minister Shien-Quey Kao mentioned that they want to keep supporting a democratic supply chain with Australia, focusing on hydrogen energy.
To make green hydrogen, you need surplus green energy, which Taiwan doesn’t have right now. But Australia does, thanks to its solar power capabilities. Ms. Kao pointed out that Australia has solid ties with other countries in the region, like Japan, and Taiwan wants in on that hydrogen supply chain.
Australia already sends liquefied natural gas to Taiwan, but by 2050, hydrogen could make up 12% of Taiwan’s energy mix. Ms. Kao emphasized that energy security is a big deal for Taiwan, affecting everything from national security to industry planning.
Australia is on a mission to become a green hydrogen leader, leveraging its vast renewable resources and proximity to energy-hungry markets. Green hydrogen is cool because it’s made from water without any emissions.
Leaders from the Indo-Pacific have been meeting up and stressing the need for diverse clean energy supply chains, which are crucial for the region’s security.
Just a bit of history: the Republic of China (Taiwan) government fled to the island in 1949 during a civil war with the Chinese Communist Party. The People’s Republic of China claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
By the way, the AAP reporter got to Taipei with a little help from the Taiwanese government.