Taiwan is actively seeking alternative sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after the shutdown of a Qatar export plant, which initially jeopardized about a third of its supply. Premier Cho Jung-tai confirmed in March 2026 that the island had sufficient LNG reserves to last through the end of March due to emergency coordination. The economy ministry and CPC Corp. have activated emergency response mechanisms to secure diversified supplies and ensure stable power, according to a Bloomberg report from March 2026.
By May 2026, Taiwan had secured enough natural gas to last through September, an effort by the chipmaking hub to bolster energy security following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to a war in Iran that began in late February. The state-run CPC Corp. has also started planning for winter gas procurement to prevent domestic supply interruptions. Despite the conflicts, Taiwan reported no electricity or oil shortages since the war's onset.
In April 2026, Taiwan's Minister for Economic Affairs, Kung Ming-hsin, announced that the island had received supply assurances from a "major" LNG-producing country regarding the impact of the Iran war on Middle East energy supplies. Additionally, Taiwan has expressed openness to joining a potential global LNG strategic reserve program, provided that participating countries guarantee delivery even in the event of a conflict with China. These efforts come as Asian LNG prices surged to $25.908 per million British thermal units in September 2026, the highest since December 2022, after hostilities escalated between the US and Iran, raising concerns about prolonged disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz. These elevated costs have more than doubled from pre-war levels, straining the budgets and demand of some Asian nations.
