The Transition to a New Generation of Energy
Demand for electricity is growing at the same time as a number of large generating units are successively decommissioned. In consequence, Taipower has adopted a strategy of reducing coal, increasing gas, and developing green and nuclear-free energy as its future power development strategy. At the same time, in line with the government's energy transition policy, the Company is promoting the development of renewables and actively planning low-carbon, gas-fired units and improving the environmental protection equipment of existing coal-fired units to reduce air pollution emissions. Through these strategies, Taipower will ensure a stable power supply and meet the 2025 energy ratio target. The development direction of Taipower's energy transition plan is as follows.
Prioritize the Development of Renewables and Create a Friendly, Grid-Connected Environment
Taipower vigorously gives impetus to the establishment of renewables, such as offshore and onshore wind power, solar power, geothermal, and small-scale and micro-hydropower. However, to maximize the development of renewables, both active development and joint development with private operators are necessary. For this reason, Taipower has continued to strengthen grid construction, create a friendly, gridconnected environment for private applications, and collaborates with the private sector to fully stimulate the development of renewables.
Actively Promote Gas-fired Generation Projects and Self-Build Natural Gas Receiving Terminals
Gas-fired units are cleaner and emit less carbon than coal-fired units. Therefore, Taipower is enthusiastically renewing and expanding plants with gas-fired projects. These projects include the Tongxiao renewal, the Datan expansion, the Xingda renewal, the Taichung new construction, the Xiehe renewal, and more. To ensure the stability of the natural gas supply for power plants and national energy security, Taipower has taken regional balance and the integration of ports and plants as in determining its planning direction. The Company pushed forward the construction of its own natural gas receiving terminals in Taichung Port and Keelung Port (Xiehe), while CPC Corporation is building a third natural gas receiving terminal. Through the joint efforts of the two companies, it is hoped that the construction of natural gas unloading facilities can be expanded, power dispatch flexibility and supply stability can be increased, and the goal of ensuring a friendly environment by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be achieved while taking into account energy supply security and the overall power supply economy
Coal-fired Units Serve as Vital Backups
International energy policy has tended to pursue diversified energy ratios. In Taiwan, 97.8% of domestic energy depends on imports, and the power system is an independent grid. To ensure a stable power supply, energy security, and diversification, it is necessary to maintain some coal-fired generation. At the same time, Taipower is aware of the impact of coal-fired generation on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure a sufficient power supply, Taipower will conduct feasibility assessments on the renewal and obsolescence of environmental protection equipment at the existing coal-fired plants. Taipower will also assess the adoption of environmentally-friendly coal. By controlling air pollution and carbon emissions from the origin to power generation, coal-fired units will remain feasible and vital backup units.
Renewables Generation Status
| Deployments | Installed Capacity (MW) |
Generation in 2022 (GWh) |
Number of Households Accommodated | |
 Wind Power |
25 sites 192 units |
415.24 | 1,072.2 | 298,000 |
 Solar |
54 sites | 287.45 | 402.7 | 112,000 |
Note: According to Taipower's open data statistics, the average monthly power consumption for a typical residential user is 300 kwh and the estimated annual power consumption is about 3,600 kwh.
Government and Taipower Renewables Development Targets
| Government's Target | Taipower's Target | |||
| Development Timeline | 2025 | 2025 | ||
| Item of Promotion | Capacity (MW) | Power generation (billion kWh) |
Capacity (MW) | Power generation (billion kWh) |
| Hydropower | 2,122 | 5 | 1,825 | 3.52 ~ 4.8 |
| Onshore Wind Power | 886 | 2.2 | 408.2 | 1.08 ~ 1.15 |
| Offshore Wind Power | 5,617 | 12.3 | 403.7 | 1.38 ~ 1.59 |
| Solar Photovoltaics | 20,000 | 22.8 | 469.1 | 0.58 ~ 0.66 |
| Geothermal Power Generation | 20 | 0.102 | 1.4 | 0.009 ~ 0.01 |
| Fuel Cells | 0.7 | 0.0009 | - | - |
| Biomass Energy | 778 | 4.1 | - | - |
| Total | 29,423.7 | 46.5009 | 3,107.4 | 7.2 |
Note: The government targets are based on the "Overall Strategy of Green Energy Implementation" briefing by the Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs on July. 11, 2021.