Taiwan audit finds 70% of reviewed solar-fishery projects fail inspections

台灣審計部發現七成受審的「漁電共生計畫」未通過查核

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Audit Office reported in July that 69.67% of reviewed fishery and electricity symbiosis projects failed government evaluations, mainly due to poor aquaculture output.

Out of 122 projects examined, most did not meet standards because fish farms underperformed, per UDN. The symbiosis model aims to boost aquaculture productivity by installing solar panels over ponds so the land can serve dual purposes. As of the end of January, 271 projects were still awaiting review.

The office said current rules need improvement in two areas: inspection frequency and policies that allow projects to keep solar power benefits despite inadequate fishery output.

In response, the Fisheries Agency said it has reviewed 174 of 276 active projects. Of these, 35 permits were revoked and 57 required improvements. The agency said common problems included failure to comply with original proposals, missing documentation, and low aquaculture yields.

However, the agency disputed the audit’s conclusion, saying only 28% of projects had insufficient fishery output.

Environmental Rights Foundation Deputy CEO Hsu Po-jen (許博任) criticized the 70% yield requirement as unrealistic, citing the volatile nature of agriculture, per UDN. He warned that relying on feed and fry purchase records to prove production could lead to fraud, and suggested requiring third-party certification such as the Traceable Agricultural Product system to strengthen oversight.

The agency confirmed it is notifying project managers that certification will be mandatory and that annual inspections will be carried out.

Business Today reported that foreign companies said aquaculture enforcement was once lenient but is now stricter for solar-fishery projects. Farmers must remove illegal structures such as shacks to meet regulations.

One farmer enrolled in the program said he was denied a pause in operations to care for his sick wife because current rules do not allow suspensions, per Business Today. Another fisher promoting Taiwan’s first fisher-run project saw her proposal stall due to local officials’ fears and shifting requirements, the same publication wrote.

Previously, solar panels were allowed to cover up to 40% of the entire site, but the ministry later changed the limit to 40% of the water surface, causing delays and financial losses, according to another report.

The government aimed to reach 4,400 megawatts of solar capacity from such projects by 2025, but only 1,008.3 megawatts have been completed so far.