Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Chien-Hsin Lai visited Taipower’s Datan Power Plant and CPC Corporation’s Datan Gas Distribution Station today (May 6) to receive briefings from both Taipower and CPC Corporation (hereinafter CPC). Vice Minister Lai expressed concern over the progress of the new power generating units at the Datan Power Plant and the gas supply testing linked to CPC’s Third LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Terminal. He stressed that all risk control measures must be rigorously implemented during testing to keep this critical infrastructure operating smoothly. He also thanked on-site staff for their dedication in safeguarding Taiwan’s electricity supply.

Taipower emphasized that the Datan Power Plant is a key power source for northern Taiwan. To meet rising electricity demand, Taipower began building new gas-fired combined-cycle units in 2017, adding three units with a total installed capacity of 3.16 GW. Units 8 and 9 were connected to the grid last year, and Unit 7 is on track to come online before the summer peak, helping deliver stable, low-carbon electricity.

Currently, natural gas for the Datan Power Plant is supplied through CPC’s Taichung LNG Terminal. To strengthen supply resilience, CPC has successfully completed the initial gas supply phase from its Third LNG Terminal, establishing a dual-source gas supply system for the Datan Power Plant. This ensures robust backup for the new generating units, enabling full-capacity operation and significantly enhancing the grid’s overall power supply capability.

Taipower added that with the operating license for Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 set to expire this year, the Company proactively planned for replacement capacity and launched its large-scale gas-fired unit construction plan years ago to meet electricity demand. In addition to Datan Unit 7, Hsinta New Units 1 and 2 and Taichung New Unit 1 will also come online this year, providing a combined installed capacity of 4.8 GW, far exceeding the 0.95 GW of Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2.

Looking ahead, Taipower cooperates with the government to conduct annual reviews of national power supply and demand, fully factoring in all unit retirements and projected future growth in electricity demand. The Company prioritizes expanding renewable energy while adding new gas-fired power capacity to ensure stable supply. From 2024 to 2033, Taipower plans a net increase of 17.86 GW in installed capacity from large-scale units, exceeding the projected demand growth of 11.51 GW, to ensure sufficient electricity for the public.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Dispatch Department Fang-Cheng Chou
Tel: (02 )2366-6600/0952-810-417
Email: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Development Department Ke-Hung Hu
Tel: (02 )2366-6850/0919-272-789
Email: u064321@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Generation Department Yu-Hua Sun
Tel: (02 )2366-6500/0928-158-862
Email: u217063@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taipower officially launched its 2025 Environmental Month today (April 30). Following earlier conservation efforts such as relocating bat habitats at the Taixi Wind Farm and creating bird habitats at the Yong’an Wetlands by Hsinta Power Plant, Taipower has now completed an aquatic ecological corridor at its Dajia River Power Plant. Aligning with global trends in biological conservation, Taipower has embraced the principles of OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) by extending conservation efforts beyond legally designated protected areas. Guided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Taipower proactively launched an OECM demonstration project in the Ma’an Dam area of the Dajia River. The results of this conservation effort, along with future planning, have been verified by an impartial third-party organization as meeting international standards.

The Taipower 2025 Environmental Month Launch Event, held today at its headquarters under the theme Coexisting with Nature, Moving Forward with Taipower, was attended and supported by Taipower Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng, President Yao-Ting Wang, Deputy Executive Director of the Executive Yuan’s Office of Energy and Carbon Reduction Tze-Luen Lin, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Ming-Chih Chuang, Director-General of the Department of State-owned Enterprise Affairs Wen-Chung Hu, Professor Kwang-Tsao Shao of National Taiwan Ocean University, Emeritus Professor Ching-Hsien Tseng of National Tsing Hua University, and Professor Lee-Shing Fang of National Sun Yat-sen University. A special guest, Professor Nobuyuki Yagi from the University of Tokyo, former UN biodiversity policy expert and a key architect of Japan’s OECM framework, attended to witness Taipower’s ecological conservation work at the Dajia River Power Plant meeting global benchmarks.

Reviewing its 2024 environmental performance, Taipower reported major progress: compared to its 2016 baseline, air pollutant emission intensity from thermal power units (covering the total particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) per kilowatt-hour generated) have dropped by nearly 70%. Carbon emission intensity (greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt-hour) have decreased by 11%.

In terms of ecological conservation, Taipower emphasized that hydroelectric plants have strong connections to local ecosystems and cultural heritage. The Dajia River Basin hosts a rich diversity of species, including the Plumbeous Water Redstart, Formosan Reeve’s muntjac, and the Taiwan leaf-nosed bat, along with a diverse riverine ecosystem. The OECM demonstration zone covers the upstream and downstream stretches of the Ma’an Dam, home to 17 fish species and critical habitats for native species such as the Taiwan torrent carp, Taiwan shovel-jaw carp, and river loach. To balance power generation with ecological conservation, Taipower constructed a fishway at Ma’an Dam as early as 1998 to assist fish migration, and further upgraded it in 2016 by lowering the entrance threshold and riverbed drop, enabling smaller or leaping fish species to swim upstream more successfully.

Taipower further explained that, to better evaluate the fishway’s effectiveness, the Company began deploying underwater monitoring cameras in 2023 to record fish movement within the passage. Last year, the Company also developed an AI-based Species Recognition System. By combining expert tagging with an expanding image database, Taipower now monitors fishway usage more accurately and in real time.

Taipower noted that the Dajia River Power Plant has carried out sustained conservation efforts for more than a decade. The OECM project was guided by experts and further verified by PwC Taiwan (one of Taiwan’s Big Four Accounting Firms), confirming that the upstream and downstream sections of the Ma’an Dam align with IUCN’s OECM guidelines. A verification certificate was presented today and received by President Yao-Ting Wang on behalf of Taipower . Taipower also stated that as Taiwan officially announces its OECM standards and certification system, the Company will strive to support the process and is confident that it will become one of the first companies in Taiwan to earn government OECM certification.

Glossary:
OECM (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures ):
Specific geographical areas outside of legally designated protected areas where diverse governance and management approaches deliver measurable biodiversity and ecosystem conservation outcomes.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Environmental Protection Department Cheng-Hung Wu
Tel: (02 )2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to the global net-zero trend and to help Taiwan’s export-oriented companies meet their renewable energy (RE) targets and secure a place in international supply chains, Taipower is launching its first-ever RE30 electricity product. Designed to meet supplement companies’ green energy needs, RE30 bridges the gap to ensure that 30% of a user’s electricity consumption comes from renewable sources, together with the green power they already purchased independently. Taipower announced that it will supply 500 GWh of green power from its self-built renewable energy sites, plus around 1,660 GWh of standard grid power. Sales will run from June 1 to December 31, with delivery starting on July 1. Interested customers can apply through their local Taipower office.

Taipower stated that RE30 is available to high-voltage and above users who are already wheeling green power from private power providers. Each account can purchase between 1 GWh and 100 GWh per year (including 0.3-30 GWh of green power). The wheeling contract period is fixed at one year, and applications must be made in 0.1 GWh increments within the eligible range. Power delivery starts on the first day of the month following approval and continues for 12 months.
Regarding pricing, Taipower explained that the green portion of RE30 is priced at NT$6.3 per kWh (excluding VAT and wheeling fees), referencing last year’s average market price for small-scale green power transactions. To encourage early participation and carbon reduction, an early-bird rate of NT$6.1 per kWh is available for green power delivered by the end of 2025, reverting to NT$6.3 from January 1, 2026. The standard grid power portion of RE30 will be billed at the regular electricity rate.

Taipower emphasized that RE30 will play a timely role in boosting the green power market. Monthly usage will be calculated case by case: priority is given to green power wheeled from private providers, and any shortfall needed to reach 30% is topped up with RE30. For example, if a business signs up for 1 GWh (or 1,000,000 kWh) of RE30 for a year (including 0.3 GWh or 300,000 kWh of green power) to meet its monthly electricity demand, and consumes 100,000 kWh in a given month while sourcing 10,000 kWh of green power privately, Taipower will supply the remaining 20,000 kWh through RE30 to ensure the 30% renewable energy target is met.

Taipower added that RE30 uses a “grid power combined with green power” model. The green portion comes from Taipower’s own renewable facilities, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are issued based on the actual green power supplied to help businesses reduce carbon emissions. Taipower plans to gradually expand its annual green power supply, aiming to reach 3,000 GWh by 2027, enough to help industries achieve RE30 targets for up to 10,000 GWh of total electricity consumption.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02)2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Business Department Mei-Lien Huang
Tel: (02)2366-6650/0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to global trends such as the growth of renewable energy and the pursuit of net-zero emissions, the development and strengthening of smart grid resilience has become a priority for power utilities worldwide. Taipower, together with the Taiwan Smart Grid Industry Association (TSGIA), the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), and Moxa, is co-hosting the three-day Asia-Pacific Power Summit 2025, which opened today (May 26) at Taipower’s headquarters. The event brings together representatives from major international utilities for discussions and exchanges. The Summit gathers power companies from across the Asia-Pacific region, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, alongside industry leaders, system integrators, and technical experts. By sharing international technologies and hands-on experiences, the Summit aims to accelerate grid modernization and drive the smart transformation of the energy sector.

This year’s Summit, themed Enhancing Smart Grid Resilience, features senior executives from eight power companies, including Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Kansai Electric Power Company, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Indonesia’s PLN, and Australia’s Endeavour Energy, as well as leading research institutions such as the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Salt River Project (SRP) from the United States. Representing Taipower, Vice President Chin-Chung Wu delivered a keynote speech outlining the Company’s comprehensive strategy to strengthen power supply stability and enhance grid resilience while expanding renewable energy integration.

Vice President Chin-Chung Wu highlighted that from 2022 to 2024, Taipower ranked second globally in the Smart Grid Index (SGI), a prominent benchmark for smart grid development based in Singapore, demonstrating Taipower’s strong technical capabilities. In recent years, Taipower has continued to integrate and apply information and communications technology (ICT) across its power grid operations. Through smart dispatch and generation, grid management, distributed energy storage, demand response load management, and ICT infrastructure, Taipower has optimized supply-demand balancing, improved monitoring and automation, bolstering system resilience, and ensured stable power supply and high power quality.

To further exchange practical experience, Taipower also held a three-way technical session with TEPCO and Japanese ICT company NESIC, sharing how the Geospatial Outage Management System (GeoOMS) is used during natural disasters to quickly assess damage and expedite power restoration. Additionally, Taipower met with KEPCO to discuss best practices for grid stability and reliability. Taipower emphasized that it will continue to deepen its cooperation with international utilities on smart grid applications, working together to build more resilent, smarter grids, and to achieve the shared goals of stable power supply, optimal energy utilization, and net-zero emissions.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Dispatch Department Fang-Cheng Chou
Tel: (02 )2366-6600/0952-810-417
Email: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to recent public concerns regarding the operation of coal-fired units at Taichung and Hsinta power plants, Taipower held a press conference today (May 23 ), chaired by Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng. Taipower emphasized that its core mission is to ensure a stable and safe power supply, and that all dispatching measures are conducted in strict accordance with relevant regulations and environmental commitments. Operational information for the units are fully disclosed on Taipower’s official website; however, the Company continues to face one-sided accusations from certain individuals. Taipower called for public discussion and commentary to be based on facts so that the tireless efforts of its frontline staff to maintain stable power supply are not misrepresented or distorted.

Honoring Annual Coal Reduction Commitments: Years of Progress Should Not Be Overlooked Over a Few Days of System Fluctuation

Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng stated that since 2019, Taichung Power Plant has not operated all ten of its units simultaneously, marking over six years without full-plant power operation. Taipower has consistently pursued proactive coal reduction measures, limiting the number of operating units to no more than nine during the non-air pollution season (April to September ). Annual coal consumption has dropped from a peak of 18 million metric tons to below the current commitment of 12.6 million metric tons. Both unit dispatch and annual coal usage are in line with Taipower’s pledged targets. Despite these significant results, some individuals disregard this process, using a few days of system fluctuations to negate years of effort and to offer misleading interpretations of temporary operating conditions which is deeply unfair to the Taipower personnel working to keep the lights on.

“Full Throttle” Accusations Ignore the Fact that Coal Use Continues to Decline

Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng further noted that in recent years, the government has vigorously promoted a transition from coal to gas. According to Taipower’s statistics, gas-fired power generation accounted for 47.3% of Taipower’s total power generation in 2024, compared to coal’s 31.1%. In 2025, the share of gas-fired generation is projected to rise to 52.2%, with coal dropping to just 26.9%. Accusing Taipower of “running at full throttle” deliberately conceals this ongoing reduction in coal use. Moreover, these claims not only ignore the downward trend but also falsely link the operation of coal-fired units to scheduled decommissioning of Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2. To imply that a nuclear unit could continue running without a license, and regardless of safety, is completely unreasonable.

Phased Coal Reduction at Taichung Power Plant: On Track for Coal-Free Operations by 2034

Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng highlighted that Taipower remains fully committed is to its gas-fired conversion plans for the Taichung Power Plant. Under Phase 1, one new gas-fired unit will begin test operations and be available for dispatch this year, with another unit following next year. Phase 2 of the project will also move forward. Taipower has pledged to begin dismantling coal-fired Units 1 and 2 by the end of next year. The four new units under Phase 2 will start coming online from 2031,, with dismantling of coal-fired Units 3 and 4 to commence by the end of that year. An additional new unit under Phase 2 will help cut coal by another 3 million metric tons in the year after it enters commercial operation. Taipower aims to fully phase out coal at Taichung site by the end of 2034 at the latest. The Company will do its utmost to accelerate construction and meet these targets, and also calls for continued support from local governments to help realize the goal of replacing coal with gas as early as possible.

Hsinta Backup Units Operate Under Strict Conditions: Taipower Understands Local Calls for Stronger Commitments

Taipower Vice President Chin-Chung Wu explained that due to recent outages and maintenance on units such as Datan Unit 1 and the privately operated Ho-Ping Unit 1, combined with hot weather and increased demand, Taipower, in compliance with its environmental impact assessment (EIA) commitments, dispatched Hsinta’s coal-fired Units 3 and 4. He emphasized that this is a legally permitted, conditional measure for exceptional circumstances and is not routine operation. All relevant environmental regulations were strictly observed. He added that the power system must remain flexible to adjust real-time conditions in order to maintain stable supply, especially with the summer peak approaching. Taipower remains confident in its ability to deliver stable power and hopes for public understanding and support.
Wen-Sheng Tseng added that Hsinta Units 3 and 4 are currently still in service. According to EIA commitments, these two units have not operated during the first and fourth quarters since last year. At the end of last year, both units were designated as backup units and are only dispatched when reserve capacity falls below 8%. They are scheduled to be decommissioned in December this year (Unit 3) and December next year (Unit 4 ).
Wen-Sheng Tseng emphasized that Taipower recognizes local governments’ expectations for stronger commitments. Therefore, all dispatch and operations of the units strictly comply with EIA commitments and environmental regulations such as air pollution emission limits, and operational information is transparently disclosed on Taipower’s website. The Company remains in close communication with local governments and under the oversight of environmental authorities. So far this year, aside from periodic tests needed to keep the units operable, the actual generation hours for Hsinta Units 3 and 4 have each remained below 100 hours. Taipower will continue to fully honor its commitments in all future dispatch decisions.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02)2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Environmental Protection Department Cheng-Hung Wu
Tel: (02)2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Dispatch Department Fang-Cheng Chou
Tel: (02)2366-6600/0952-810-417
Email: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Generation Department Yu-Hua Sun
Tel: (02)2366-6500/0928-158-862
Email: u217063@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Power Development Department, Ke-Hung Hu
Tel: (02)2366-6850/0919-272-789
Email: u064321@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In line with the government’s intensive energy conservation policy launched in 2024, Taipower has been working closely with businesses to help them cut electricity use. To date, Taipower has hosted nearly 50 seminars for major electricity users and promoted advanced energy-saving measures to thousands of companies across Taiwan. Taipower’s energy-saving teams have also gone directly into communities, carrying out on-site visits to over 5,000 companies nationwide. These efforts are expected to yield savings of nearly 150 GWh of electricity. Taipower expressed hope that more businesses will embrace energy conservation and carbon reduction, improve energy efficiency, and contribute to a sustainable environment.

Taipower explained that to support Taiwanese companies in adopting energy-saving practices, it established three Energy Conservation Diagnostic Centers in northern, central, and southern Taiwan in 2019. These centers provide free energy-saving consultation services for large electricity users with contract capacities ranging from 100 to 800 kW. Since early 2024, Taipower’s energy-saving teams have visited over 5,000 companies across the country, helping them identify potential savings and providing tailored recommendations. If all suggested measures are fully implemented, nearly 150 GWh of electricity could be saved, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 36,000 households, while cutting around 71,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

According to Taipower, companies can use its diagnostic services to receive customized energy-saving reports and then work with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs ) to replace old equipment and implement energy management solutions that reduce costs and boost efficiency. For example, after undergoing Taipower’s initial assessment, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital replaced its chilled water units, cooling towers, and indoor lighting, achieving annual savings of 2 GWh, a reduction rate of up to 70%. Likewise, Lung Hsing Refrigerating Works in Kaohsiung followed Taipower’s advice to replace outdated equipment, adopt an energy management system, and lower its contract capacity, resulting in annual electricity savings of 2.2 GWh.

In addition to equipment like chilled water units and cooling towers, transformers are also a key focus for businesses aiming to save electricity. Taipower reminds businesses to check the service life of their self-owned transformers. If a transformer has been in service for over 30 years, upgrading to a new high-efficiency model can improve power use and reduce electricity bills. For example, after receiving energy-saving guidance from Taipower, the Taiwan Electric Research & Testing Center, an accredited Taiwanese testing institution, replaced old transformers with high-efficiency ones, saving an estimated 140,000 kWh of electricity and cutting annual electricity expenses by approximately NT$700,000.

Alongside its work with businesses in energy conservation and carbon reduction, Taipower continues to lead by example internally through its own. Power plants across Taiwan are introducing automated modules to better manage electricity usage and are refining unit operating conditions to reduce heat rates. In its offices, Taipower is also fully aligning with the government’s intensive energy-saving initiative. Six facilities, including its headquarters, the Shulin Campus of the Taiwan Power Research Institute, the Linkou Training Center, and the Beinan, Hsinchu, and Taichung district offices, have been designated as demonstration sites for energy upgrades. For instance, the Beinan District Office has upgraded its central air conditioning system with ESCO support, which is expected to save nearly 1 GWh of electricity annually.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of the Business Department Mei-Lien Huang
Tel: (02 )2366-6650/0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to public concerns over the operating permits for the Taichung Power Plant’s generating units, Taipower held a press conference today (June 3) to clarify the situation. The Company stressed that the plant is operating in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Five power generating units have legally applied for permit extensions. However, the Taichung City Government has failed to process the applications for nine months, far exceeding the statutory review period, yet continues to accuse the plant of “operating without a permit,” despite itself being in breach of the law. Regarding the Legislative Yuan’s resolution for a “coal-free Taichung Power Plant by 2028,” Taipower reiterated that achieving coal-free power generation at Taichung is indeed its goal, but maintaining a stable power supply must remain the top priority. The plant’s current power generation already falls short of Taichung’s electricity demand. “We cannot achieve zero coal at the cost of zero power,” Taipower stated.

Taipower explained that five power generating units at the Taichung Power Plant currently have valid permits through the end of 2026, while the remaining five units have applied for permit extensions. Under Article 31 of the Stationary Pollution Source Installation, Operating and Fuel Use Permit Management Regulations Amended Clauses, local governments must complete a formal review within seven days of receiving an application, notify the applicant within another seven days to pay the review fee, and complete a substantive review within 35 days of payment, with a one-time extension of up to 30 days if necessary.

Taipower further clarified that the permits for Units 6, 7, and 10 expired on December 31 last year. In accordance with the law, Taipower applied for extensions on September 4. The Taichung City Government issued a payment notice on September 23, Taipower paid on September 27, and the Environmental Protection Bureau conducted the on-site inspection on October 22. However, the review has since stalled for nine months. For Units 2 and 3, the city government illegally revoked the permits in 2020, a decision the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA ) overturned. The EPA instructed the review process to resume from where it left off, but the city government has yet to complete it, a delay now exceeding five years, which is a clear violation of the regulations.

Taipower also noted that under Article 30, Paragraph 3 of the Air Pollution Control Act, if a permit extension application is pending due to incomplete review by, the unit may legally continue operating under the original permit terms after the permit expires. Taipower is therefore operating lawfully while working hard to ensure stable power supply., and the city government’s “unlicensed operation” accusation is misleading. Taichung City’s electricity consumption has surpassed the output of the Taichung Power Plant since 2019 and was the highest among Taiwan’s six special municipalities in 2024. This leaves a power shortfall of several billion kilowatt-hours that must be met by other counties and cities.

On the Legislative Yuan’s 2028 coal-free resolution, Taipower emphasized that eliminating coal from Taichung’s generation must not come at the expense of supply security. Phasing out about 5 GW of power generation capacity early could not be offset by simply restarting Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant along, as proposed in the referendum. It would require restarting all six power generating units at the Chinshan, Kuosheng, and Maanshan Nuclear Power Plants in New Taipei City and Pingtung County. Any restart of nuclear power plants would still need to resolve critical issues such as nuclear safety and spent fuel disposal. Taipower is pressing ahead with its plan to replace coal at Taichung with new gas-fired units. The New Unit 1 is scheduled to come online by year-end, two coal-fired units will be decommissioned next year, and the plant is on track to reach coal-free operation by 2034.

Taipower reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring stable power supply while gradually reducing coal consumption, making Taichung Power Plant the largest single contributor to local stationary-source pollution reduction in Taichung City. In 2024, the plant’s coal consumption hit a historic low, down more than 6 million metric tons compared with its 2014 peak under the KMT administration. Over the past eight years, air pollutant emissions have fallen by nearly 80%. According to Taiwan Emission Data System (TEDS) statistics, without Taipower’s reductions, Taichung City’s total air pollutant emissions would have risen rather than fallen.

Regarding coal-fired Units 3 and 4 at Hsinta Power Plant, Taipower reiterated that both are active but are scheduled for decommissioning by the end of this year and next year, respectively. As part of its new unit replacement plan, Taipower proactively committed during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to limit their use in the run-up to decommissioning. Since 2024, the units have not operated during the first and fourth quarters and have been designated as backup units since this year, to be dispatched only when the percent operating reserve margin falls below 8%. Currently, Taipower is also complying with Kaohsiung City Government’s tighter restrictions, limiting each unit’s use to no more than 720 operating hours per year. Activation is fully supervised by the city government and environmental authorities. In response to a formal notice, neither unit has been activated since May 23.

Spokesperson: Vice President, Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Power Generation Department, Yu-Hua Sun
Tel: (02 )2366-6500/0928-158-862
Email: u217063@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Environmental Protection Department, Cheng-Hung Wu
Tel: (02 )2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Today (May 17), Unit 2 of Taipower’s Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant reached the end of its 40-year operating license. The unit began a gradual power reduction in the afternoon and was disconnected from the grid and safely shut down by evening. Taipower explained that Unit 2 of Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, with an installed capacity of 951,000 kW (or 0.951 GW), accounting for about 3% of Taiwan’s total power generation, has now completed its licensed operating life. In response to the gradual decommissioning of nuclear units in recent years, as well as the retirement or downsizing of aging coal-fired units, Taipower has proactively implemented renovation and expansion projects since 2017 at its Datan, Taichung, and Hsinta power plants. These projects focus on building low-carbon, low-emission gas-fired combined-cycle units. Coupled with the accelerated deployment of renewable energy in recent years, and supported by pumped-storage hydropower, battery storage, and demand-side management, Taipower’s diversified power dispatch strategy has kept electricity supply stable while significantly reducing air pollution and carbon emissions. This year, four large gas-fired units with a combined capacity of nearly 5 GW from the Datan, Hsinta, and Taichung power plants will come online, along with approximately 3.5 GW of wind and photovoltaic power. Together, these additions will ensure a reliable and sufficient power supply for the public.

Taipower added that Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 began commercial operation on May 18, 1985, and generated a cumulative total of approximately 274,160 GWh of electricity over its 40-year service period. In line with its license expiry, the unit began load reduction at 1:00 p.m. today, was disconnected from the grid at about 10:00 p.m., and reached safe shutdown status by midnight. Next, the reactor’s spent fuel will be removed and transferred to the spent fuel pool. Taipower will continue with the development of dry storage facilities and advance site selection and construction of final disposal sites for nuclear waste. The Company calls for public understanding and support for these critical backend nuclear waste management processes.

Spokesperson: Vice President, Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Nuclear Power Generation Department, Chih-Pao Lin
Tel: (02 )2366-7040/0921-210-506
Email: u808941@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Power Dispatch Department, Fang-Cheng Chou
Tel: (02 )2366-6600/0952-810-417
Email: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Nuclear Backend Management Department, Ying-Chen Liao
Tel: (02 )2365-7210 Ext. 2200/0953-685-053
Email: u880803@taipower.com.tw