NEWS

Beyond Power Shortages: Walsin Lihwa Chairman Yu-Lon Chiao’s NT$18 Billion Bet on Grid Resilience and Submarine Cables

22 January 2026

At the 2026 CommonWealth Economic Forum, Walsin Lihwa Chairman Yu-Lon Chiao argued that while global attention focuses on power generation shortages, the more critical challenge lies in the resilience of transmission and distribution networks. Emphasizing the strategic necessity of a localized supply chain, Chiao highlighted Walsin Lihwa’s massive investment of NT$18 billion in a submarine cable plant in Kaohsiung. This long-term commitment aims to bolster Taiwan's energy independence while targeting future opportunities in the global offshore wind and grid infrastructure markets.

 

Chiao advocates for a diversified energy mix, including nuclear and renewables, and urgent grid modernization to overcome Taiwan’s land constraints. He suggests that developing underwater grids could significantly enhance national security and transmission efficiency. Furthermore, he urges the government to nurture the domestic power equipment industry with the same strategic foresight historically applied to semiconductors. By providing clear policies and protection against foreign dumping, Chiao believes Taiwan can cultivate "hidden champions" capable of securing the island's power needs while competing on the international stage.

See the full article here (Chinese Only) 

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