No Domestic Power or Gas Shortages Since the Middle East Conflict; Natural Gas Dispatches Has Been Well Managed; Foreign Media Allegations of Energy Vulnerabilities are Unfounded

In response to foreign media reports alleging that Taiwan is highly dependent on energy imports, maintains low LNG inventories, and that maritime disruptions could impact power supply and disrupt civil and economic operations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) issued a stern clarification today (14th). In the 46 days since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on February 28, the government has managed dispatches effectively, and there have been no instances of domestic power or natural gas shortages. The MOEA obtained and assessed the relevant information immediately and activated the Energy Emergency Task Force on March 2. The Task Force conducts daily inventories of domestic oil, gas, and coal reserves, all of which currently remain above legally mandated safety levels. Not only is the domestic energy supply fully secure, but Taiwan's LNG inventory regulations, supply dispatching, and crisis response capabilities are also superior to those of other nations. The "severe shortage crisis" described by the media is entirely unfounded, and the MOEA urges the public and the industrial sector to remain assured.

The MOEA specifically noted that Taiwan currently mandates a minimum of 11 days of natural gas safety stock, a requirement that will be elevated to at least 14 days starting in 2027. Compared to neighboring Asian countries-where Japan currently has no natural gas safety stock regulations and South Korea requires only 9 days-Taiwan's regulatory standards are significantly superior, reflecting more rigorous and solid preparedness. Furthermore, to mitigate risks associated with potential blockages in the Strait of Hormuz, CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC) has long initiated a three-phase contingency framework: "Preemptive Delivery," "Asian Cargo Swaps," and "Spot Market Procurement." Currently, all gas supplies for April and May have been fully secured and dispatched; June's supply is nearing completion, and sourcing arrangements for July and beyond have already commenced, ensuring uninterrupted domestic gas supply.

The MOEA further pointed out that, according to the International Energy Agency's review of countries' energy response policies to the Middle East conflict, many countries globally have implemented mandatory gas restrictions and energy reduction strategies. In contrast, owing to preemptive measures and proper current dispatch management, Taiwan has ensured the normal operation of civilian life and the economy, demonstrating that our nation's energy resilience is relatively superior to that of other countries.

Regarding the overall power supply, the MOEA emphasized that CPC and Taipower maintain a tight early-warning mechanism, and the blackout risks suggested in the media will not occur. All of Taipower's generating units are currently operating according to scheduled protocols, and concrete contingency plans have been prepared to ensure stable electricity supply for both national civilian operations and industries under various extreme scenarios.

Spokesperson:
Mr. Chung-Hsien Chen, Deputy Director General , Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7700 / +886-919-998-339
Email: [email protected]

Contact Person:
Ms. Hsiu-Fen Tsai, Director, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7730/ +886-905-506-658
Email: [email protected]