Taiwan to Boost Windpower by More Than 5-Fold

Taiwan is planning to invest around T$30 billion (US$915 million) over the next three years boost its wind power generation by more than five-fold, by inviting private firms to bid for the right to build turbines, energy officials said on Thursday.

Taiwan, which must import over 98 percent of its fuel needs now, is hoping to boost its off-shore windpower generation to as much as 1,200 megawatts (MW) from 217.2 MW now, said the energy bureau.
“Taiwan has an abundant source of wind, which makes it a good source of energy,” Yeh Huey-ching, energy minister, told a news conference.

Energy officials have said that local opposition to new fossil fuel-fired power plants and delays in constructing a fourth nuclear power plant could cause power reserve levels to fall dangerously in coming years if new generating capacity is not built.

As of August, electricity from the 127 wind power units in operation only accounted for 0.4 percent of total installed capacity, compared to 32.6 percent for coal and 31.8 percent for natural gas, according to the state utility, the Taiwan Power Company.

Another 610 MW worth of wind power — or 305 units — are either under construction or being planned, said the bureau, without giving details.

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