The term “operating reserve margin” (備轉容量率) has become a central point of contention in Taiwan’s energy debate. The DPP government repeatedly assures the public that the margin is “sufficient” and that there is “no risk of power shortages,” yet we continue to see emergency measures, voltage reductions, and warnings of grid instability.
Independent experts point out that the government’s way of calculating these numbers is often misleading, including power sources that are not readily available or are highly unreliable (such as aging plants that should be retired). By painting a “green” (safe) picture on the dashboard while the actual grid is struggling, the administration is avoiding the hard conversation about the true costs and risks of its rapid nuclear-free transition.
A reliable power supply is the backbone of Taiwan’s high-tech economy. Gambling with the national grid for the sake of political optics is a dangerous game. When the difference between a “safe” supply and a “blackout” is just a few percentage points, every “nonsense” claim from officials erodes the public’s confidence in our economic future.
We need transparency, not propaganda. If the margin is truly safe, let independent third-party audits verify the data. Until then, the public has every reason to remain skeptical of the government’s energy “fairy tales.”
Note: This commentary discusses the energy supply concerns in 2018.