In response to recent public concerns regarding the operation of coal-fired units at Taichung and Hsinta power plants, Taipower held a press conference today  (May 23 ), chaired by Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng. Taipower emphasized that its core mission is to ensure a stable and safe power supply, and that all dispatching measures are conducted in strict accordance with relevant regulations and environmental commitments. Operational information for the units are fully disclosed on Taipower's official website; however, the Company continues to face one-sided accusations from certain individuals. Taipower called for public discussion and commentary to be based on facts so that the tireless efforts of its frontline staff to maintain stable power supply are not misrepresented or distorted.

Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng stated that since 2019, Taichung Power Plant has not operated all ten of its units simultaneously, marking over six years without full-plant power operation. Taipower has consistently pursued proactive coal reduction measures, limiting the number of operating units to no more than nine during the non-air pollution season  (April to September ). Annual coal consumption has dropped from a peak of 18 million metric tons to below the current commitment of 12.6 million metric tons. Both unit dispatch and annual coal usage are in line with Taipower's pledged targets. Despite these significant results, some individuals disregard this process, using a few days of system fluctuations to negate years of effort and to offer misleading interpretations of temporary operating conditions which is deeply unfair to the Taipower personnel working to keep the lights on.

Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng further noted that in recent years, the government has vigorously promoted a transition from coal to gas. According to Taipower's statistics, gas-fired power generation accounted for 47.3% of Taipower's total power generation in 2024, compared to coal's 31.1%. In 2025, the share of gas-fired generation is projected to rise to 52.2%, with coal dropping to just 26.9%. Accusing Taipower of "running at full throttle" deliberately conceals this ongoing reduction in coal use. Moreover, these claims not only ignore the downward trend but also falsely link the operation of coal-fired units to scheduled decommissioning of Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2. To imply that a nuclear unit could continue running without a license, and regardless of safety, is completely unreasonable.

Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng highlighted that Taipower remains fully committed is to its gas-fired conversion plans for the Taichung Power Plant. Under Phase 1, one new gas-fired unit will begin test operations and be available for dispatch this year, with another unit following next year. Phase 2 of the project will also move forward. Taipower has pledged to begin dismantling coal-fired Units 1 and 2 by the end of next year. The four new units under Phase 2 will start coming online from 2031,, with dismantling of coal-fired Units 3 and 4 to commence by the end of that year. An additional new unit under Phase 2 will help cut coal by another 3 million metric tons in the year after it enters commercial operation. Taipower aims to fully phase out coal at Taichung site by the end of 2034 at the latest. The Company will do its utmost to accelerate construction and meet these targets, and also calls for continued support from local governments to help realize the goal of replacing coal with gas as early as possible.

Taipower Vice President Chin-Chung Wu explained that due to recent outages and maintenance on units such as Datan Unit 1 and the privately operated Ho-Ping Unit 1, combined with hot weather and increased demand, Taipower, in compliance with its environmental impact assessment (EIA) commitments, dispatched Hsinta's coal-fired Units 3 and 4. He emphasized that this is a legally permitted, conditional measure for exceptional circumstances and is not routine operation. All relevant environmental regulations were strictly observed. He added that the power system must remain flexible to adjust real-time conditions in order to maintain stable supply, especially with the summer peak approaching. Taipower remains confident in its ability to deliver stable power and hopes for public understanding and support.
Wen-Sheng Tseng added that Hsinta Units 3 and 4 are currently still in service. According to EIA commitments, these two units have not operated during the first and fourth quarters since last year. At the end of last year, both units were designated as backup units and are only dispatched when reserve capacity falls below 8%. They are scheduled to be decommissioned in December this year  (Unit 3 ) and December next year  (Unit 4 ).
Wen-Sheng Tseng emphasized that Taipower recognizes local governments' expectations for stronger commitments. Therefore, all dispatch and operations of the units strictly comply with EIA commitments and environmental regulations such as air pollution emission limits, and operational information is transparently disclosed on Taipower's website. The Company remains in close communication with local governments and under the oversight of environmental authorities. So far this year, aside from periodic tests needed to keep the units operable, the actual generation hours for Hsinta Units 3 and 4 have each remained below 100 hours. Taipower will continue to fully honor its commitments in all future dispatch decisions.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02)2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Environmental Protection Department Cheng-Hung Wu
Tel: (02)2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Dispatch Department Fang-Cheng Chou 
Tel: (02)2366-6600/0952-810-417 
Email: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of the Power Generation Department Yu-Hua Sun
Tel: (02)2366-6500/0928-158-862
Email: u217063@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Power Development Department, Ke-Hung Hu
Tel: (02)2366-6850/0919-272-789
Email: u064321@taipower.com.tw