The Ministry of Economic Affairs says state-run CPC has taken on an
additional cost of $6.5 billion U-S dollars, the equivalent of 207.5 billion
NT, in costs since the start of the Middle East conflict.

The ministry says it plans to propose a capital injection of about $167
billion NT for the CPC next year, with the proposal sent to the legislature
by August.

Officials say persistently high global oil and gas prices, along with rising
LNG procurement costs, are driving the increase, as Taiwan seeks to secure
supplies from alternative sources.

KMT lawmaker Ye Yuan-zhi (葉元之) noted that LNG shipments have become
significantly more expensive, with each tanker costing an extra one billion
NT.

Higher fuel costs are also impacting electricity generation, with TaiPower's
monthly costs rising by about $10 billion NT.

The ministry indicated the financial burden could persist as energy prices
remain elevated.

(IG)