Taiwan summer electricity rates take effect

台灣夏季電價上路

Taipower to charge higher summer electricity rates for high-voltage consumers beginning May 16


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipower will charge summer electricity rates for high-voltage users beginning May 16, the state-run utility said Sunday.

High-voltage users consume more than 60% of Taiwan’s electricity but make up just 1% of users, according to Taipower data. The 26,000 high-voltage consumers include science parks, hotels, and department stores, per CNA.

These users receive a monthly supply voltage of more than 11,000 volts. Between mid-May and mid-October, they will be billed at summer electricity rates, which are higher than those charged to average consumers.

The rest of Taiwan’s electricity users, including residents and small businesses, will be billed summer rates between June and September.

Taiwan introduced summer electricity rates in 1989 to encourage conservation during periods of peak demand. Due to the increasingly severe effects of climate change, the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2023 extended the rate period.

The ministry noted that average temperatures in May and October are now comparable to those in June and September. The Ministry of Environment has urged the public to conserve energy and schedule electricity-intensive activities during off-peak hours.