Taiwan’s energy transition at risk as solar grid connections see historic low, foreign divestment

Taiwan’s energy transition is facing unprecedented challenges. In 2025, domestic solar power grid connection capacity plunged to an all-time low, squeezed by the dual pressures of policy instability and tightening regulations. Industry leaders warn that if the current administrative stalemate continues, achieving 2026 policy targets will be unrealistic, risking not only a single sector downturn but also international doubts about Taiwan’s energy resilience as a whole.

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China surges ahead of US in drone patents, heightening pressure on Taiwan

China has maintained a clear lead over the US in drone-related technology patents since 2016, highlighting a widening technology gap as Taiwan seeks to expand its domestic drone industry and reduce reliance on China-centric supply chains. The divergence underscores the scale of the challenge facing Taiwan at a time when governments worldwide are accelerating procurement of unmanned systems and reassessing supply chain security.

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Taiwan’s Shinkong to open autonomous vehicle innovation hub in 2027

Eric Wu, founder of Shinkong InnovHUB, announced on December 23, 2025, that the facility is scheduled to open in 2027, offering a dedicated testing and demonstration site for autonomous vehicles. Wu simultaneously revealed the formal launch of Gaia Capital, a NT$5 billion (US$158 million) fund designed to help Taiwanese startups in the autonomous vehicle sector expand into global markets.

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Taiwan pivots to bigger drones as component crunch reshapes supply chains

Unmanned aircraft are becoming central to modern military operations, driving a surge in government procurement that is reshaping Taiwan’s drone industry. The US, Japan, and Taiwan have all announced large-scale drone purchases. But the rapid expansion is straining supply chains, production capacity, and delivery timelines. Industry executives say closer coordination and clearer division of labor across suppliers will be critical for companies seeking to secure contracts and scale output.

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Waymo robotaxis stall in San Francisco blackout, exposing management shortcomings

Waymo’s fleet of Jaguar I-Pace-based robotaxis experienced a widespread shutdown during a recent major power outage in San Francisco, leaving multiple vehicles stalled and blocking roads. The incident has raised questions about the autonomous cars’ ability to handle unexpected disruptions, with experts attributing the problem to operational and management shortcomings rather than software faults.

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Nissan unveils Formula E champion car and signals brand reset in Taiwan

Yulon Nissan Motor Co. on December 23, 2025, held a preview event ahead of the 2026 Taipei New Car and New Energy Vehicle Show, unveiling several high-profile models making their Taiwan debut. Among them were the Nissan Formula E GEN3 Evo—an ABB Formula E World Championship title-winning race car—and the Nissan Qashqai, a compact crossover equipped with the brand’s third-generation e-POWER hybrid system.

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