TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Tuesday (Oct. 29) pledged government efforts to stabilize electricity prices for households. The premier made the comment earlier that day while delivering a report on energy allocation and electricity pricing policy at the Legislative Yuan (立法院), addressing concerns amid rising costs and public scrutiny.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Legislator Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊) questioned the implications of a proposed NT$200 billion subsidy for Taiwan Power Company (台灣電力公司), asking Cho if it can guarantee that there will be no electricity price hikes next year.
Cho assured that the October price adjustment did not affect household electricity rates, which remained well below cost. Huang criticized Taiwan Power's slow unloading of imported coal, which significantly increased demurrage fees. She demanded that the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部) provide a review report within a month.
According to the National Audit Office's (審計部) data, Taiwan Power Company's demurrage fees have risen from NT$200 million in 2021 to NT$700 million in 2022, reaching NT$2 billion in 2023.
Economic Minister J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) vowed the ministry would thoroughly investigate contract issues with Taiwan Power Company.
