Responding to the government's encouragement of renewable energy, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) yesterday announced a three-year wind-power project worth NT$4.5 billion.
After Taiwan's recent participation in the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Cabinet announced on Monday that energy policies would be adjusted to keep up with international trends and boost Taiwan's competitiveness. Part of its plan includes encouraging investment in alternative energy sources.
Participants at the Johannesburg summit agreed to make efforts to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. In addition, nations would work on phasing out inappropriate energy subsidies.
Taipower's announcement yesterday could be regarded as an example of changing attitudes toward energy in Taiwan.
Under Taipower's plan, about 60 wind turbines generating 100.8 kilowatts would be set up over the next three years at six locations -- the Changpin Industrial Complex, Taichung Harbor, Taichung Thermal Power Plant, Tatan Power Plant in Taoyuan, the First Nuclear Power Plant in Taipei County, and the Third Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County.
Wind turbines are used to convert the wind's kinetic energy into mechanical power or electricity.
Over the next decade, Taipower officials said, at least 200 wind turbines will be set up on Taiwan and outlying islands such as Penghu. Officials said that a large number of wind turbines will be built in Hsinchu, which is known for its wind.
Due to Taipower's promotion of renewable energy, the state-run company will receive subsidies from the Energy Commission under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The subsidies will be awarded based on various conditions, such as the performance of the wind field and the cost of establishing the transmission and distribution systems for the new source of power.
"The installation of wind turbines will be carried out with respect to the potential impact on the ecosystem, birds, transportation, noise and landscape," said Ho Chien-hui (
Taipower officials said that wind power should be an ideal source of energy for Taiwan because of strong northeasterly winds in the winter.
According to Taipower, the nation boasts about 2,000km2 where the average wind speed is more than 18kph per second and has the potential to supply 1 million kilowatts of electricity.
Company officials said, however, that the electricity generated in the Hsinchu area would not be supplied to the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park, where a steady supply of electricity is demanded.
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