TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Amidst threats that the Yunlin County Government would terminate the issuance of green energy licenses, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) traveled to Tainan on Sunday (Sept. 15) to inspect a dual-purpose solar power fishery.
Cho admitted the solar power industry has encountered many obstacles with the central government committed to simplifying the review process through greater transparency. Cho added that the concerns of farmers and fishers should be addressed, with consensus leading to many win-win situations for both sides.
Accompanying Cho on his trip was Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) and Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲). The fishery and solar power facility they visited in Tainan’s Qigu District was operated by the Taya Group (大亞集團), per CNA.
According to Cho, the government’s official policy regarding the development of green energy is that agricultural and fishery interests must be given priority. He said the basic rights of farmers and fishers must not be impacted or harmed.

Cho admitted that problems occur when solar power projects are implemented with the public occasionally unaware of the extent of such development projects. According to Cho, more feedback and communication with farmers and fishers is the first step toward facilitating the development of the solar power industry. The next step is simplifying the application process to rid unscrupulous influences that could harm industry development.
Cho said the economics ministry has earmarked more than 20,000 hectares of land for ground-based solar power development. Further reviews will determine which projects can be done most efficiently with little delay and transparent review mechanisms.
In speaking to local media, Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) said there are still many procedural challenges and communication issues involving local governments that have prevented the adoption of more projects. He said all levels of industry and government should work together to provide for more such projects.
According to Kuo, the Ministry of Economic Affairs had set up offices in Tainan and Chiayi to assist the solar power industry in disseminating correct information. At the same time, an anti-crime platform has been established with the Ministry of Justice, and if any illegal interference is discovered in such cases, investigations will proactively be carried out.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said his administration attaches great importance to cooperation between the solar power sector and agricultural and fishery industries. Huang has initiated cross-bureau cooperation and held regular monthly meetings to promote and audit more projects.
Huang said that if any cases fail to proceed according to plan or fail to meet deadlines, licensing can be revoked immediately. Huang said all actions to develop green energy projects should be done according to regulations that take into account the central government’s policies of promoting green power development as well as the local rights and interests of farmers and fishers.