AI, Weather Strain Power Demand
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s AI-driven economy and hotter weather are pushing electricity demand to new highs.
Wu Chih-wei (DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ENERGY ADMINISTRATION):
Future demand for data centers and semiconductors
looks strong.
Temperature is another factor.
Power use closely tracks with that.
REPORTER:
The government predicts electricity demand will grow 2.5 percent annually through 2035, up from a previous estimate of 1.7 percent. That’s the second highest rate on record, and will see the country outpace Japan and South Korea. To keep up, authorities say they are expanding fossil fuel capacity and are considering restarting nuclear power generation.