Taipower Says Taichung Coal Plant Unit Removal Backed by Ministry

The Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) responded today (the 12th) to external questions regarding the review level for the decommissioning plan of units 1 and 2 of the Taichung Power Plant, pointing out that the case only requires approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and does not need to be submitted to the Executive Yuan for review. Taipower explained that the Ministry of Economic Affairs is currently stepping up its review in subsequent procedures and is expected to complete the approval very soon. The Taichung Power Plant is Taiwan's largest coal-fired power plant, with an installed capacity of over 5,500 megawatts. Its six units were completed successively in the 1990s, with units 1 and 2 being the earliest to enter commercial operation. Each has a capacity of about 600 megawatts, featuring a high coal consumption ratio and large emissions. With increasing domestic and international pressure for carbon reduction, Taipower has long listed older units as priority targets for retirement. The decommissioning of units 1 and 2 is a concrete action to implement the Energy Transition White Paper and the 2050 Net-Zero Emissions Roadmap.

In terms of administrative procedures, the addition or retirement of coal-fired power units falls under energy infrastructure. According to the Energy Act, the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs is responsible for review and approval; only when involving major policy changes or cross-ministerial coordination would the matter be escalated to the Executive Yuan. Taipower's emphasis this time that submission to the Executive Yuan is unnecessary indicates that the decommissioning plan is within the existing policy framework and only requires the Ministry of Economic Affairs to complete environmental impact assessments and safety inspections to officially take effect. This also demonstrates that the administrative approval process has not been extended due to political factors, avoiding unnecessary administrative delays and having a positive significance for enhancing the execution efficiency of energy policies.

From an environmental perspective, units 1 and 2 burn more than six million tons of coal annually, with carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to about ten million tons, alongside air pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. After decommissioning, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 2,000 metric tons and lower the risk of worsening air quality, having a direct positive effect on respiratory health in Taichung City and surrounding counties and cities. Environmental groups have long called for accelerating the retirement of aging coal-fired units, believing that this move not only aligns with international carbon reduction trends but also alleviates the living burden on local residents. Taipower stated that the decommissioning operations will follow strict environmental safety standards and coordinate with land reclamation plans. In the future, green energy facilities or public leisure spaces may be planned to enhance regional value.

However, viewed from the perspective of power supply, the retirement of units 1 and 2 will cut approximately 1,200 megawatts of instant power supply capacity, posing a challenge to Taiwan's grid reserve margin capacity. Taipower has planned alternative solutions such as natural gas-fired power, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, and offshore wind power to fill the gap, while simultaneously promoting demand-side management and smart grid construction to ensure stable power supply remains unaffected. The Energy Administration is also accelerating the approval of multiple pumped-storage power stations and energy storage systems, hoping to raise the reserve margin capacity to over 4,000 megawatts within the next five years. This move not only aligns with the "reducing coal and increasing green energy" target set in the Energy Transition White Paper, but also helps mitigate the risk of long-term electricity price fluctuations.

Politically, the retirement of coal-fired units has always been a focal point of debate between the pan-blue and pan-green parties. Since taking office, the Democratic Progressive Party government has continued to promote energy structure adjustments, emphasizing the balance between carbon reduction and energy security; meanwhile, some opposition voices worry that overly rapid retirement could affect power supply and employment, particularly in maintenance and logistics industries surrounding the Taichung Power Plant. Taipower's clear explanation of the approval process this time aims to provide policy transparency, reduce uncertainty, and give related industries and local governments sufficient time to adjust and plan. If the approval proceeds smoothly in the future, it will set a concrete example for Taiwan's energy transition while also testing the government's coordination ability in balancing environmental protection, industry, and people's livelihoods.

Overall, Taipower's explanation of the decommissioning plan for coal-fired units 1 and 2 highlights the division of administrative review levels and the efficiency of policy implementation, while also reflecting the multiple environmental, power supply, and political challenges Taiwan must face during the process of energy structure adjustment. As the Ministry of Economic Affairs accelerates the approval process, the associated environmental benefits and industrial adjustments will gradually emerge, holding significant importance for Taiwan in achieving its 2050 net-zero target. (Source: Central News Agency)