n response to media reports yesterday on August 20 alleging that a new directive from the National Property Administration (NPA) blocks green energy projects, the NPA clarified that, based on the conclusions of related Executive Yuan meetings in 2023, and instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture in 2024, the promotion of green energy policy must also safeguard lessees’ rights. Accordingly, on November 1, 2024, the NPA established procedures for seeking the opinions of both lessees and the Energy Administration (EA), Ministry of Economic Affairs, regarding applications to develop solar PV projects. When applications involve leased national land, NPA regional branches notify lessees by registered mail, with acknowledgement of receipt, to ask whether they support the solar PV project. Relevant information is then submitted to the EA for evaluation of whether the land is suitable for PV installation. If the EA deems the land suitable, and the lessee supports the installation on national land, the application proceeds in accordance with regulations.
To simplify administrative processes, on June 26, 2025, the NPA eased the above procedures. For cases where applicants have already obtained a “Letter of Consent from lessees of Leased National Agricultural or Aquaculture Land Permitting the Installation of Ground-mounted Green Energy Facilities,” the NPA agreed that such leased land does not require further lessee opinion surveys. Furthermore, if a lessee initially opposed or failed to respond within the deadline, but later changes to support PV installation, the lessee may directly contact the applicant, who may then apply to the NPA’s regional branch offices for issuance of a “Letter of Intent for National Non-public Use Land to Apply for Development” (hereinafter the Letter of Intent). For pending applications, once the applicant submits supporting documentation from the lessee, the NPA branch offices may continue processing based on the progress of the original application.
The NPA further explained that the so-called “Letter of Intent” (formerly known as the Letter of Consent) is a document required under the Directions for Provision of National Non-public Use Land to Apply for Development, which applicants must obtain from the NPA when applying to establish ground-mounted solar PV facilities on national land. This document serves only as supporting evidence for the applicant to submit to the responsible industry authority for project application, preparation, or installation; it does not constitute substantive consent for land use. To avoid misunderstanding of the Letter of Intent’s nature, the Ministry of Finance in 2023 changed the document’s name from “Letter of Consent for National Non-public Use Land to Apply for Development” to “Letter of Intent.” In addition, to prevent applicants from occupying national land after obtaining a Letter of Intent, applicants must first pay a security deposit (calculated based on the current assessed value of the land). The deposit will be refunded without interest after the expiration or cancellation of the Letter of Intent, provided the NPA confirms that the applicant has not occupied the land during the validity period.
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