Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has hosted a forum with representatives of local LED manufacturers, including Everlight and Delta Electronics to discuss the strategy to boost demand for LED lights.
MOEA promised local LED makers that it will lauch a NT$500 million (US$16.6 million) subsidy program for townships to install LED streetlighting in 2012.
The ministry said the figure will be a substantial increase from the NT$170 million allocated this year for the purpose.
Additionally, the ministry plans to build "model cities" in Keelung, Hsinchu and Chiayi using LED streetlighting. The project is expected to replace 53,000 traditional streetlights and should be completed in three years with a budget of NT$700 million. The change will generate about NT$1.4 billion-worth of business for the LED industry.
Furthermore, the ministry said it will draw up an industry strategy within one month after hearing opinions from the manufacturers.
Apart from that, local LED makers suggested that the government should subsidize the public to the tune of 50 percent of their expenses for switching to LED lighting products, to help the industry weather slowing global demand. But the ministry said it has no such plan so far.