Taiwan steps up smart grid investments, cites benefits from earlier AMI

By Jesse Berst

We've alerted you already that China, Korea and Japan are taking steps to become major forces in smart grid. Add Taiwan to the list, according to a report in the Taiwan News. The government plans to invest an additional $4.3 billion in smart grid beginning in 2012, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). It believes a modernized grid will accelerate Taiwan's move to "smart industry." More importantly, it believes it will create a new export industry for Taiwan.

MOEA held a forum Dec. 19 to get things moving. Although the government is confident that Taiwan has expertise in the individual components, it will need to improve its abilities in systems integration.

This additional funding comes on the heels of Taiwan's earlier investment of approximately $200 million annually into advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). According to the Taiwanese Bureau of Energy, that expenditure is already saving customers an estimated $800+ million per year in reduced electricity charges. The AMI initiative will give smart meters to 50% of Taiwan's electricity users by 2020 and nearly 100% by 2030.

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.

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