TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Economic Affairs said that starting next year, it will provide up to NT$15 million (US$501,000) in fuel and operating subsidies for hydrogen stations, as part of an initiative to promote green energy use and achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
The ministry said the program aims to lower the cost of hydrogen infrastructure, per CNA. The subsidy will provide NT$165 for each kg of hydrogen sold, up to a maximum of NT$5 million. An additional NT$10 million will cover operating expenses, including staff, maintenance, electricity, hydrogen tank truck rental and safety assessments.
The Energy Administration said the subsidy amount was estimated based on an analysis by CPC Corp., which will be the first to qualify for the funding. In 2021, the ministry established a hydrogen promotion department and asked the company to cooperate with the transportation ministry’s hydrogen-powered bus program by building hydrogen stations to serve the buses.
CPC’s first hydrogen station is set to launch by the end of this year in Kaohsiung’s Nanzi District, with a daily capacity of over 245 kg, enough to supply seven buses. To boost the number of stations, the ministry has allowed hydrogen stations to be installed at existing fuel stations.
CPC said it will initially source hydrogen from domestic gas suppliers. As Taiwan depends heavily on hydrogen imports, the ministry noted it has commissioned Kawasaki Heavy Industries to assess the feasibility of building a liquid hydrogen receiving terminal at Kaohsiung Port.
Linde LienHwa Industrial Gases Co. will also launch a hydrogen station by the end of this year at an industrial park in Tainan’s Xinshi District and introduce trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells. However, the ministry noted the company has not applied to be a certified hydrogen station operator and therefore does not qualify for the subsidy.
Linde LienHwa added that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have advantages over EVs, including faster refueling, longer driving ranges, and lighter vehicle weight that enables greater cargo capacity.
