TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — With smart energy systems and Taiwan’s largest rooftop solar array, International Convention Center Tainan is becoming a testbed for the country’s low-carbon transition.

Since opening in 2022, the center has become more than just a venue, per CNA. Operated by GIS Group, it has positioned itself as a driver of urban transformation and international engagement.

“We are not just managing a venue,” ICC Tainan Chair Yeh-Tai min (葉泰民) said. “We are building a sustainable platform that connects talent, industry, and the world.”

The center’s green ambitions start with hardware. Designed with over 35,000 square meters of space and a column-free exhibition hall, it boasts Taiwan’s largest rooftop solar installation among convention centers, producing enough electricity for more than 1,300 households annually.

Yeh said energy bills once topped NT$600,000 (US$20,000) a month, especially during the pandemic’s early days. To rein in power use, the team installed a central energy management system, adopted air-conditioning zoning, and implemented energy-saving algorithms, cutting usage by 35%.

Still, higher rates meant costs did not fall. “In March and April this year, we used 70,000 fewer kilowatt-hours than last year, but we paid more,” Yeh noted.

Going beyond infrastructure, the center has embedded sustainability into its operations, earning ISO 50001 and ISO 20121 certifications. Yeh said the real challenge is cultural: how to help industries transition to net-zero while attracting the next generation of talent.

“Exhibitions are not just venue rentals, they are Taiwan’s stage to speak to the world. Build the stage well, and the people will come,” Yeh said.