Fubon Financial

Milestone Progress in Geothermal and Ocean Energy Advances Taiwan’s Energy Transition

In the face of global climate change and the challenges of energy transition, building a stable, self‑reliant low‑carbon energy system has become a critical issue for economic resilience and national energy development. Since 2023, Fubon Financial Holdings and Taiwan Mobile have jointly supported Academia Sinica’s “Net‑Zero Technology Research and Development Program”, providing substantive backing for forward‑looking energy research. This collaboration has already delivered significant milestone achievements in two key net‑zero technologies—geothermal energy and ocean energy—laying a solid scientific and pilot‑scale foundation for Taiwan’s energy transition.

Stacy Liu, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer of Fubon Financial Holdings, attended the “Fubon Financial Holdings and Taiwan Mobile Net‑Zero Technology Research and Development Lecture and Award Ceremony” hosted by Academia Sinica on April 1, representing the Group. At the ceremony, she recognized outstanding researchers from the research teams, commending the academic and research community for their continued breakthroughs in forward‑looking energy technologies.

Richard M. Tsai, Chairman of Fubon Financial Holdings, noted that the Global Risks Report 2026 released this year by the World Economic Forum (WEF) identifies environmental risks as the most severe global threats over the next decade, with extreme weather events ranked as the top risk. Fubon firmly believes that only through early investment in forward‑looking scientific research and the accumulation of critical technological capabilities can a more resilient energy future be built for society and industry. The Academia Sinica research teams have long been dedicated to the development of frontier technologies such as geothermal energy and ocean energy, expanding the possibilities of renewable energy. Their sustained efforts are expected to translate into a strong and enduring force supporting Taiwan’s long‑term energy sustainability.

Fubon Financial Holdings and Taiwan Mobile jointly contributed NT$10 million in incentive funding to support Academia Sinica’s “Net‑Zero Technology Research and Development Program”. The program focuses on three core net‑zero technologies—decarbonized hydrogen combustion, geothermal energy, and ocean energy—encouraging research teams to engage in forward‑looking energy research. Among these initiatives, the decarbonized hydrogen combustion R&D project completed the construction of a small‑scale decarbonized hydrogen combustion system in 2023 and successfully integrated it with a 65 kW commercial natural gas generator for hydrogen‑blended power generation. More recently, the geothermal and ocean energy research programs have also achieved important phase‑based milestones, marking further progress in net‑zero technology development.

Academia Sinica noted that the award‑winning geothermal energy and kuroshio current ocean energy technologies fully leverage Taiwan’s unique geographical advantages. These technologies are advancing toward the development of localized, stable baseload green power, positioning them as critical pillars in Taiwan’s efforts to drive its net‑zero transition and strengthen energy self‑reliance.

James Liao, President of Academia Sinica, explained that the “Geothermal Alpha Project”, conducted in collaboration with CPC Corporation, Taiwan, successfully drilled Taiwan’s first deep geothermal exploration well in Yuanshan Township, Yilan County. At depths exceeding 3,500 meters, the project observed a significant geothermal gradient—estimated at approximately 90°C per kilometer—establishing a critical scientific foundation for deep geothermal exploration in Taiwan. Under the Ocean Energy Alpha Project, the research team not only carried out on‑site observations and simulations of the hydrological and geological conditions in Taiwan’s eastern waters, but also successfully constructed Taiwan’s first 100‑kW kuroshio current turbine generator. The system has completed real‑sea towing tests, validating its operational stability and technical feasibility, and marking a pivotal step forward in the development of kuroshio current power generation.

Beyond supporting academia in the development of forward‑looking technologies, Fubon Financial Holdings has also deepened its net‑zero actions across its own operations and core financial businesses, implementing a clear decarbonization pathway to fulfill its 2050 net‑zero commitment. Fubon Financial Holdings and its subsidiaries continue to expand the procurement and use of renewable electricity. In 2025, total green electricity consumption reached approximately 19.648 million kWh, accounting for around 20.1% of total annual electricity usage. Of this amount, 19.409 million kWh was sourced through externally procured renewable power, while 239,000 kWh was generated and consumed through self‑owned solar photovoltaic systems. On the business front, Fubon supports customers’ low‑carbon transition through sustainable finance solutions, including low‑carbon investment and financing as well as net‑zero insurance underwriting. In 2025, Fubon’s green finance performance exceeded NT$2.7 trillion, demonstrating the Group’s continued financial influence in driving capital markets toward sustainable development.

Looking ahead, Fubon will continue to advance its net‑zero initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders across sectors, working together to realize the shared vision of net zero. The Group also hopes to inspire more companies to support research into net‑zero technologies, thereby expanding the range of solutions available for the sustainable development of Taiwan’s energy future.