The Geothermal Exploration Development Permit and Management Regulation Has Been Officially Announced
The Geothermal Exploration Development Permit and Management Regulation Has Been Officially Announced
On May 13, 2024, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced the "Geothermal Exploration Development Permit and Management Regulation," clarifying the administrative procedures for geothermal exploration and development to create a supportive environment for geothermal energy growth.
Following the amendment of the "Renewable Energy Development Act" on June 21, 2023, to include specific provisions for geothermal energy, the MOEA's Energy Administration held multiple stakeholder meetings and officially announced the "Geothermal Exploration Development Permit and Management Regulation" on May 13, 2024, detailing the application process for geothermal exploration and development.
Key points of the regulation include:
1. Procedures: Applications are managed by the central authority (Energy Administration, MOEA) with joint reviews involving local governments, relevant ministries, and experts, ensuring a uniform national review process.
2. Resources: To ensure existing operators' interests and reduce competition, new operators must provide impact assessments and mitigation measures if their wells are within 500 meters of existing geothermal sites.
3. Community: To protect the rights of nearby stakeholders, operators must hold local information sessions and submit related documents before commencing exploration and development.
4. Indigenous Rights: Projects on Indigenous land must comply with Article 21 of the "Indigenous Peoples Basic Law" to safeguard Indigenous rights.
5. Environment: Operators must re-inject at least 90% of the tailwater used in power generation and install measurement equipment to record tailwater usage and re-injection volumes, reporting quarterly to the authorities to ensure sustainable groundwater use.
6. Management: A mechanism for permit renewal is established, allowing operators with local permits to apply for renewal with the central authority within a specified timeframe.
The Energy Administration further explained that exploration permits are required for drilling aimed at geothermal power generation but not for preliminary academic surface surveys. The regulation includes a 500-meter well spacing standard to identify stakeholders and plan impact assessments and mitigation measures. The MOEA will adjust regulations as needed and has established the Single Service Window for Taiwan Geothermal Power to assist operators in achieving a clear and consistent application process, accelerating the establishment of geothermal power plants in Taiwan.
