On March 31, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced revisions to several key regulations and associated forms to uphold the public's right to information, clarify approval standards for local governments, and protect residential living environments. These revised regulations include the Regulations on Registration of the Electricity Industry, Regulations on Registration of Power Generation Equipment for Self-Use, Regulations for the Installation and Management of Renewable Energy Generation Equipment, and the Guidelines for Landscape and Ecological Impact Review of Ground-Mounted Solar PV Installations. These updates aim to enhance communication and coordination with local communities by requiring developers to hold public briefings during the application process, standardizing consent forms and criteria for local governments, and mandating appropriate buffer distance between solar facilities and nearby residences to maintain quality of life.
The MOEA further explained that, to ensure local communities are well-informed, it convened relevant central agencies, local governments, and industry associations to revise the Regulations on Registration of Electricity Industry. Under the amended rules, solar developers are required to conduct public briefings in the villages or neighborhoods where the highest concentration of solar panels, step-up substations, or energy storage facilities will be located, prior to submission of an establishment permit application. Developers must submit records and sign-in sheets to strengthen local participation and clarify project details.
In addition, the MOEA has revised the Regulations on Registration of the Electricity Industry to provide consistent standards for local governments when approving solar power businesses. As part of these amendments, a standardized Checklist for Local Government Approval of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Businesses has been introduced, providing consistent criteria to enhance administrative efficiency across different jurisdictions.
To protect the quality of residential environments, the MOEA has also updated the Guidelines for Landscape and Ecological Impact Review of Ground-Mounted Solar PV Installations, explicitly requiring an appropriate buffer distance between solar facilities and residential areas. In line with these changes, corresponding amendments have also been made to the Regulations on Registration of the Electricity Industry, Regulations on Registration of Power Generation Equipment for Self-Use, and Regulations for the Installation and Management of Renewable Energy Generation Equipment. These updates ensure that all types of installations must fully consider potential impacts on landscape and ecology, as a way of supporting inclusive and harmonious development.
Lastly, the MOEA reaffirmed that these regulatory improvements are designed to foster harmony in local communities, as well as their co-existence, co-prosperity, and synergy with solar energy development, building a friendly environment and realizing a sustainable, win-win future for all stakeholders.
Spokesperson
Wu, Chih-Wei, Deputy Director General
Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: (02) 2775-7750 / 0922-339-410
Email:
[email protected]Contact for Further Information
Liao, Shih-Wei, Deputy Division Chief
Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: 0920-091-081
Email:
[email protected]