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Mar 19
Taiwan energy debate intensifies as Middle East tensions raise supply concerns
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are fueling debate in Taiwan over energy security, as industry leaders warn that disruptions to global supply routes could expose vulnerabilities in the island's power system and add pressure to its semiconductor-dependent economy.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a binding long-term supply and purchase agreement (SPA) with Samsung C&T Corporation for the supply of green ammonia over 15 years, commencing in the second half of fiscal year 2029. Valued at more than US$3 billion, RIL describes it as one of the largest binding green ammonia offtake agreements in the world.
India has expanded its domestic content framework for solar manufacturing, extending the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) regime to cover upstream components such as ingots and wafers, in a move aimed at reducing import dependence and strengthening supply chain resilience.

The Formula One (F1) season opened in Australia with a spectacle that was meant to inaugurate a new technological era. Instead, it quickly became a showcase of dominance by one team.

The US and Chile have agreed to begin talks on cooperation in rare earths and other critical minerals, as Washington seeks to strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on China for strategic materials used in advanced technologies.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers is driving a sharp rise in global electricity demand, renewing interest in nuclear power as a source of reliable, carbon-free energy. Yet while governments in the US and Europe are trying to revive their nuclear sectors, structural challenges—including aging workforces, fragile supply chains, and project delays—are complicating those efforts.

The large-scale bombings and attacks launched by the US and Israel against Iran have caused significant civilian casualties. With Iran carrying out retaliatory actions, the conflict could trigger a global energy crisis.
As tensions escalate between the US and Iran, global energy markets have grown increasingly volatile, sending crude oil prices above US$100 per barrel. Nelson An-ping Chang, chairman of Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) Group Holdings, warned that if the Middle East conflict drags on, it could evolve into a resource-draining war, driving up energy costs, fueling inflationary pressures, and disrupting supply chains across the global economy.
Intensifying military conflicts in the Middle East have driven up international oil prices, pushing petrochemical product costs higher. PET recycling equipment supplier Boretech has reported a notable increase in customer inquiries following the surge in crude oil and plastic raw material prices.
The heavy reliance on imports for Tungsten in Taiwan has prompted industry calls for strategic stockpiles and tighter controls on metal waste to preserve recyclable resources and improve supply security.
Amid a global supply chain restructuring and energy transition, Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) has expanded into three major sectors: semiconductors, automotive electronic components, and renewable energy. In 2025's volatile market, SAS's subsidiaries—including GlobalWafers and affiliates Taiwan Specialty Chemicals (TSC), Actron Technology (ATC), and Advanced Wireless Semiconductor Company (AWSC)—have successfully secured profits in advanced processes and AI applications through technological collaboration.
The EU's simultaneous push for stricter emission rules and industrial localization is increasing operational costs and complicating transformation for European carmakers, industry representatives say. The EU's flexible emission mechanism and the newly unveiled Industrial Acceleration Act (IAA) have failed to ease industry concerns.