China's Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration has announced significant changes to its export tax rebate policy, effective December 1. The new policy eliminates rebates for 59 products and reduces the rebate rate from 13% to 9% for 209 items, including refined oil, solar panels, lithium batteries, and modules, vanadium redox flow batteries, and certain non-metallic mineral products. This 4% reduction represents an approximate 30% decrease in rebates.

Taiwan's largest industrial gas manufacturer, Linde LienHwa, is shifting its focus from decades of industrial hydrogen applications to the transportation sector. The company aims to lead Taiwan's hydrogen vehicle market once its dedicated hydrogen manufacturing plant in southern Taiwan becomes operational in 2025.

Trade disputes between the EU and China, especially in the solar and automotive sectors, underscore the intricate nature of global trade. Chinese manufacturers have shown resilience and adaptability, often finding ways around regulatory hurdles.

Three Chinese solar companies were found to have evaded taxes on approximately INR220 billion (US$2.64 billion) of profits earned from INR450 billion worth of solar product sales in India over the past decade.

CATL's chairman and CEO Robin Zeng has expressed willingness to build a factory in the US if President-Elect Donald Trump is willing to open the door for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) investments. This strategic shift comes as Chinese manufacturers face mounting pressure from Trump's tariffs on EV and lithium battery imports.

TSMC inaugurated its zero-waste manufacturing center in Taichung on November 13, while signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to develop advanced carbon capture technology.

Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) Group is expanding its renewable energy presence through a recent stock subscription agreement with Anneal Energy, securing a 45% stake and becoming the largest institutional shareholder. This move aligns with adjustments to Taiwan's Electricity Act, which now allows Type III solar power plants—those with less than 2,000 kilowatts in capacity—to sell green energy to renewable trading companies for corporate use.

TSMC's earnings call for the third quarter of 2023 underscored a core message: "AI is Real." As AI demand surges, the expansion of data centers has become crucial. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted that data centers will evolve into next-generation computing units, forming a virtualized network for AI computation.

HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) announced an investment of NT$932 million (US$29.66 million) for a 9.7% stake in Australian electricity retailer ZEN Energy, marking its entry into the Australian power market. Approved at its October 7 board meeting, the investment sets the stage for joint ventures in energy storage, solar-storage projects, and infrastructure, combining HDRE's system integration capabilities with ZEN's expertise in Australian power trading for future international expansion.

Norman Tsai, Chairman of INA Energy and President of the Taiwan Photovoltaic Industry System Association (TPiSA), emphasized that Taiwan's advanced semiconductor manufacturing sector will face a sharp increase in renewable energy demand. He stressed that regulatory flexibility in Taiwan would be essential for renewables to effectively support the semiconductor sector.

Following the US Department of Treasury's expansion of the CHIPS and Science Act subsidies to include solar-grade silicon ingots and wafers, South Korean solar giants Hanwha Qcells and OCI Holdings are expected to gain billions of Korean won in added US support.

As Donald Trump secures a second term as US president, market observers are closely monitoring the potential impact of his economic policies on the technology sector. With Republican control of both chambers of Congress strengthening his mandate, Trump's ability to implement his agenda faces few legislative hurdles.

Following the victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the US presidential and congressional elections, major changes are anticipated when the new administration takes office. Chief among these changes is the likely rescinding of unspent funds under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which could significantly impact the renewable energy, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.

Winbond and Sino-American Silicon Products' green energy unit, Sustainable Energy Solution, approved a major renewable power purchase agreement on November 5, aiming to accelerate net-zero ambitions. This move also marks Taiwan's first instance of an electricity retailer delivering offshore wind power directly to domestic firms.

Transitioning to net-zero emissions by 2050 presents a major challenge for Taiwan and many countries alike, demanding extensive changes to energy infrastructure, industrial practices, and consumer behavior. Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has adopted an "ecosystem" approach to unify the energy supply chain, enabling practical applications of hydrogen energy, marine energy, energy storage, grid integration, and carbon capture solutions.

Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung's historic first public meeting in South Korea has sparked speculation about potential collaboration between the world's top automakers. The leaders met at a joint "Hyundai N x Toyota GAZOO Racing" event, where Toyoda, speaking in Korean, referenced their earlier private meeting in Japan and hinted at future partnership opportunities.

South Korea, one of the world's most nuclear-reliant nations, has seen nuclear power generation reach historic highs for two consecutive years. Under President Yoon Suk-yeol's administration, the nation has leaned into nuclear energy, driven by surging global energy costs and mounting pressure to achieve carbon neutrality. This shift positions nuclear energy as a critical component of South Korea's power mix, with plans to boost nuclear power exports and foster a skilled workforce to support the industry.

China's solar energy industry has been grappling with severe oversupply and aggressive price competition in the local market since 2024. In late October, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) collaborated with executives from Tier 1 solar energy manufacturers to establish a price floor agreement aimed at stabilizing prices. With support from the Chinese government, Chinese solar prices have begun to stabilize, a development that carries substantial market implications.

Following the convening of local enterprises by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) to address vicious competition tactics in China's solar energy industry, Chinese solar firms have jointly acknowledged the significance to mitigate price-cutting practices, according to industry sources.

Taiwan can generate enough green energy to fuel AI sector growth, says Economic Affairs Minister J.W. Kuo, addressing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's projection of 10 billion kWh in annual green electricity for a potential Taiwan investment.

Despite repeated assurances from authorities that Taiwan won't face power shortages, concerns about energy supply continue to loom over the island's industrial development. Bruce Cheng, the founder of Delta Electronics, was direct in his view: the ongoing worry about insufficient power underscores a need for nuclear energy, which he believes is the most economical and safest option. Further delays, he warned, could see foreign companies lose enthusiasm for doing business in Taiwan.

Google's recent nuclear energy procurement in the US has sparked interest, especially after CEO Sundar Pichai discussed nuclear power during his visit to Japan, fueling speculation that the company's nuclear ambitions could extend to the Asia-Pacific. A senior Google energy executive said the company continues to drive a variety of energy initiatives in the region, including solar and biomass projects, all part of long-term plans.

The industry's trio of cloud service providers (CSPs) are actively embracing nuclear energy with unprecedented enthusiasm, signaling a major shift in the global energy landscape. As the AI race intensifies, massive investments from companies are flooding into infrastructure projects worldwide, driving a surge in demand for carbon-free energy (CFE). The global response to this transformation will significantly shape the future energy landscape.

Dong Fang Offshore (DFO) Chairman Polin Chen has outlined three primary growth drivers for the company: increasing global demand for vessels, a major submarine cable project with Chunghwa Telecom, and the addition of two new large vessels by the end of 2026. Chen expects revenue to remain stable in 2025, with Chunghwa's project entering its peak construction phase in 2025-2026, driving further growth.

Song Chuan Precision, Taiwan's largest relay manufacturer, is capitalizing on the growing demand for EVs, solar energy, and energy storage. These sectors now account for 56% of the company's revenue, positioning them as key growth drivers. The company emphasized that the company's shift from traditional relay production to developing advanced solutions for EVs and renewable energy has been a major evolution over the past 20 years.