Smart Net-Zero

April 11, 2024 | News&Market, Taiwan | (In Chinese)

In Chiayi County, Taiwan, fisherman Chiu Ching-Yao, a recipient of the prestigious Shennong Award, is grappling with severe challenges due to the push for integrating solar energy into aquaculture. This policy, part of Taiwan’s broader renewable energy goals, has created significant issues for local fish farming.

Chiu, who manages an eco-friendly fish farm, asserts that the policy’s implementation has disproportionately favored solar development over aquaculture. Landowners and solar companies frequently impose terms that leave fish farmers with minimal negotiating power. Chiu’s 40-hectare farm is now at risk due to plans for installing solar panels, which will significantly reduce the available space for fish farming and force him to navigate uncertain new conditions.

The transition has led to increasing rent and intensified land competition, placing many fish farmers under financial strain. Chiu criticizes the policy for failing to meet the needs of fish farmers and calls for a comprehensive review and greater transparency regarding land use and production rates. He advocates for a balanced approach that harmonizes renewable energy goals with the needs of traditional aquaculture.