Following closed-door meetings, advocacy work & detailed analysis on Taiwan’s imports of Russian coal, Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC), a major Russian coal buyer, has announced that it will no longer purchase Russian coal.
On 13 September 2024, Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC), a major Russian coal buyer in Taiwan, issued a press release stating that after discussions with the Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF), the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), and Ecodefense in June this year following the publication of their report regarding Taiwan importing Russian coal, its Hoping Power Plant will not be purchasing any more Russian coal after fulfilling its last procurement contract in August this year.
According to data provided by CREA, Russian coal imported through TCC’s Hoping Port accounted for about 17% of Taiwan’s total Russian coal imports in 2023, and approximately 6% for 2024 so far. From the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine until the end of August 2024, just over 13% of Taiwan’s imports of Russian coal went to the Hoping port where TCC’s power plant is located. TCC’s decision to stop purchasing Russian coal is expected to significantly reduce Taiwan’s total imports of Russian coal.
Fossil fuels play a key role in financing Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. CREA recommends that other companies follow TCC’s decision. Taiwan has already sent over USD 3.9 billion to Russia for coal imports. It’s time for this to end.
Isaac Levi, Europe-Russia Policy & Energy Analysis Team Lead, CREA
As TCC noted in its press release that the ash content restriction for Hoping Power Plant is the strictest in Taiwan, at 12%, and that the company plans to apply for a relaxation of the requirements, the government should provide as much support as possible to help TCC propose an appropriate coal mix without increasing environmental impact. The government should also continue to assist TCC in developing a net-zero and just transition pathway for the Hoping Power Plant.
Other Russian coal buyers in Taiwan, in particular Formosa Plastics Group that purchased over USD 100 million worth of Russian coal between 2022 and 2023, should follow suit as soon as possible.
Ecodefense welcomes the decision by TCC to stop buying Russian coal. It leads to less money in the Russian state budget available for the war in Ukraine. The war needs to be stopped—peace and climate action are essential for our survival.
Vladimir Slivyak, Co-chairman, Ecodefense
| Taiwan imports Russian coal Did you know that Taiwan relies heavily on coal for power generation? Prior to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan’s energy provider, Taipower, was a key buyer of Russian coal to meet Taiwan’s energy needs. Following Taipower’s 2022 declaration that they would no longer be purchasing Russian coal, they received their last shipment in September 2022. Yet, despite Taipower’s decision to stop importing Russian coal, private firms have picked up the slack and coal imports into Taiwan have increased by 31% in the most recent 12 months compared to the prior 12-month period in volume terms. The coal imported from Russia is also cheaper and lower quality than Taiwan’s imports of coal from their primary supplier, Australia. Further work is required to push for Taiwan to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels. Read the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF), and Ecodefense’s report below. |