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Taiwanese government affirms steadfast support for geothermal at TIGC 2025

Taiwanese government affirms steadfast support for geothermal at TIGC 2025 Guests of honor took to the stage for a group photo, officially marking the opening of the 2025 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference. (source: MOEA)
Carlo Cariaga 5 May 2025

The 2025 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference reiterated the government's support for geothermal growth and provided a venue for industry collaboration.

The 2025 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, once again took place in Taipei from 24 – 25 of April. Now on its third edition, the conference was successful in bringing together leading geothermal experts, government representatives, and industry leaders from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, the Philippines, and other countries to explore cutting-edge technologies and the future development of geothermal energy.

Held in a hybrid format with both in-person sessions and online streaming, the conference attracted more than 700 participants from around the world, including representatives from academia, industry, government, and research institutions.

Government drives geothermal development

In his opening remarks, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Chien-Hsin emphasized that amid the global climate change, the government is committed to implementing a range of carbon reduction measures to ensure sustainable energy transition. Promoting renewable energy, he noted, is critical to achieving these goals.

Vice Minister Lai highlighted geothermal energy’s pivot role in Taiwan’s energy transition. With Taiwan’s favorable geological conditions, it has completed the construction of six geothermal power plants. This year, more geothermal power plants will be connected to the grid.

He sincerely welcomed all geothermal scholars, developers and experts to participate in 2025 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference, believing that through collaboration between international enterprises and local Taiwanese companies, they can contribute to achieving net-zero emission goals and jointly address the challenges of extreme climate.

International experts convene for technology exchange and industry collaboration

The conference featured a broad range of topics, including the status of geothermal energy development in Taiwan, international industry trends, advanced technologies and innovative applications, and the role of local governments in promoting geothermal power development.

The Energy Administration and the Geological Survey and Mining Management Agency presented Taiwan’s geothermal policies and exploration progress. Meanwhile, the CPC Corporation and Taiwan Power Company delivered special reports on development strategies and recent technical breakthroughs, which have attracted investment interest from domestic and international companies.

Afternoon sessions focused on cutting-edge project management and international drilling experiences, exploring how to leverage advanced technology and optimized practices to support local developers, accelerate geothermal plant construction, and enhance industry competitiveness.

Pictured from right to left: Chairman Li Chao-Hsing, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager Su Meng-Tsung, Chairman Fang Chen-Jen, Acting Director General Lee Chun-Li, Vice Minister Lai Chien-Hsin, Chairman Tseng Wen-Sheng, and Hsu Director Ming-Hung. (source: MOEA)

High-level dialogue on the future of geothermal energy

The first day of the conference concluded with a high-level dialogue moderated by the Acting Director-General of the Energy Administration Lee Chun-Li joined by representatives from the global geothermal industry, research institutes, and government sectors.

The discussion centered on “The Future Outlook for Geothermal Power in Taiwan,” highlighting strategies to attract international investment, expand the geothermal industry value chain, and strengthen Taiwan’s presence in the global green energy market.

Workshops and site visits promote practical engagement

On April 25, the second day of the conference, three professional workshops were on “Geothermal Drilling Technology,” “Development Solutions,” and “Exploration and Equipment Applications.”

The conference also featured a technical site visit for international guests to CPC Corporation’s Yuanshan No.1 Well, Taiwan’s first deep geothermal exploratory well. Jointly developed by Academia Sinica and CPC and currently drilled to a depth of 1,820 meters, this well marks a key milestone for Taiwan’s deep geothermal progress, offering international stakeholders a firsthand look at Taiwan’s geothermal potential and supportive development environment.

Through this international platform, Taiwan aims to strengthen global partnerships, foster innovation, accelerate the growth of its geothermal sector, and advance toward the long-term goal of sustainable energy.

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Source: MOEA

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Carlo Cariaga