Residents of Tainan’s Annan District (安南) recently became aware of a new gas-fired power plant scheduled to be built just north of their homes.
Local investigations revealed that Taiwan Sugar Co is to lease a 25.9 hectare site to Jiu Wei Power Co, and that the correct procedures have not been followed for the implementation of such a project. Inquiries showed that there is considerable doubt about the suitability of the proposed site.
First, there are already two power stations affecting air quality in Tainan in particular and southern Taiwan in general. The proposed site is also uncomfortably close to the National Museum of Taiwan History, a new multibillion-dollar quadruple baseball stadium development, Annan Hospital, numerous historic temples, dozens of schools and the natural habitat for a rare species of owl. The site of a new local government development scheme that includes 1,500 social housing units is also just 800m from the planned power plant.
Questions have been raised about what kind of planning committee would agree to such a thoughtless idea. Clearly, profit was the priority, while the health and welfare of residents was a secondary concern. Those in favor of the planned power plant, and those most likely to profit from it, could well argue that there is an element of NIMBYism (“not in my backyard”) in play, but local residents are rightly concerned about another power plant being constructed close to their homes, schools, temples and workplaces. The proposed site would directly affect a large residential area, with the area to its east overlapping substantially with the area affected by one of the existing plants. Those unfortunate enough to live in that zone would be at an even greater risk of having to live with poor air quality.
Taiwan has a dismal air pollution record.
On the positive side, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) recently announced her commitment to a carbon-neutral Taiwan by 2050, but it is not unreasonable to suspect that this was not considered in the planning of the new power plant. It would not be difficult to find a more suitable location, one at which the plant would have a less impact on the surrounding environment.
Better still, further investment in clean energy would undoubtedly sit more comfortably with international concerns about global warming. There are several wind farms off the northwest coast, and Tainan, too, is subject to strong winds almost all year round. Meanwhile, the use of solar energy is also becoming more widespread in Taiwan, and the technology is improving rapidly. There are some significant solar power sites in or near Tainan, as the city has an abundance of sunshine. The wind in Tainan comes from the north for much of the year, so the air affected by power production along the west coast is carried directly to the city.
The new power plant would apparently provide energy to the Southern Taiwan Science Park (南部科學園區), which is northeast of the proposed site, meaning that the park would be less affected by its air pollution. Finally, the parent company of the proposed plant has proudly expressed its concerns for the environment. Its Web site says that it “refuse[s] to install ... power system [sic] on good farmland and woodlands.” This contradicts the site being considered Grade 1 farmland. How can the firm consider the site appropriate for the project?
Questions have been raised and appeals have been made, and decisions should be reviewed and answers should be forthcoming. To date, those in positions of power have not given any meaningful answers, and the concerns and protests of residents have not been addressed. The year 2050 is fast approaching. The authorities could seize this moment to make changes for the better, thereby improving the chances of achieving the government’s ambitious target. Taiwanese, not to mention the planet, deserve better.
Ming Turner is an associate professor in the Institute of Creative Industries Design and Head of Visual and Performance Arts at the National Cheng Kung University Art Center.
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