In response to the rapid economic development of the Taoyuan region in recent years and increasing power requirements, Taipower plans to build the Guanyuan Substation in the Guanyin region. This substation will enable Taipower to directly import electricity from the Datan Power Plant, which will increase the stability of the regional power supply, satisfying the power requirements of the Taoyuan Aerotropolis and other commercial and manufacturing parks, the Taoyuan–Hsinchu–Miaoli Greater Silicon Valley Project and other large construction projects, and provide stable power for the semiconductor, AI, and ICT industrial chains to build a comprehensive technology industry ecosystem.
A Taipower representative indicated that over the past decade, the number of electricity customers in Taoyuan City has increased by 17.4%, and power consumption has reached 27.1 billion kWh, accounting for approximately 11% of Taiwan's total energy consumption. In response to the continuous increase in electricity demand, Taipower is actively strengthening grid resilience. Currently, the bulk of Datan Power Plant's electricity passes through the Chukung Substation in Hsinchu County's Hukou Township, then is delivered to Taoyuan's Longtan Substation, and finally distributed to various regional substations throughout southern Taoyuan. This long-distance transmission method not only results in energy wastage, it also increases the risk of transmission line mishaps.
The Guanyuan Substation neighborhood load center is a major upstream electricity receiver and transformer station capable of directly importing electricity from Datan Power Plant and delivering it to regional substations. This effectively shortens the electricity transmission distance, reduces wastage, and strengthens the quality of the power supply in regions such as Guanyin, Dayuan, and Zhongli, reducing the risk of power outages. Taipower expressed that the land used was obtained through public tender and has undergone rigorous suitability evaluation. The substation will adopt a next generation "internalized" design, meaning that the primary power equipment will be installed inside two buildings, and multiple safety protection measures will be in place to ensure the safety of the surrounding areas.
In response to public concerns that Taipower did not take the initiative to explain this project to the local community in advance, a Taipower representative expressed that it is still in the midst of preliminary operations for land use change for this project, and had originally planned to publicly explain the project to local communities after preparing all materials for official delivery to the Taoyuan City government and completing all statutory procedures.
Regarding the public's biggest issue of concern-electromagnetic fields-Taipower emphasized that because the primary power facilities are all located indoors and the substation is approximately 89 meters away from the nearest neighboring residences, the electromagnetic fields it generates will weaken to almost nothing by the time they reach the surrounding communities, and will not cause an impact. The surrounding transmission lines are also entirely underground, at a depth of 20 to 40 meters, and will not impact the surface landscape or safety. To further alleviate public misgivings, Taipower promised to establish real-time electromagnetic field monitoring billboards around the substation, with synchronized publication of the data on the company website. As for environmental concerns, the Guanyuan Substation is exempt from environmental impact assessment in accordance with law; nevertheless, the project introduces the advanced sustainability concept of "sutured urban greenbelts", which transform power facilities into public resources for the community to enjoy.
Taipower promised to continue strengthening its communication with local communities and resolve the public's misgivings by utilizing transparent communication platforms to publicly demonstrate the necessity and safety of grid construction and establish a common consensus with residents. Taipower hopes that its efforts to promote a stable power supply will earn the support and assistance of people from all walks of life, and that it can join hands in cooperation with the local government and citizens to jointly promote regional economic development and ensure that power infrastructure construction and city improvement coexist in joint prosperity.
Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0958-749-333
E-mail: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Lin Chiang-Min, deputy director of the Northern Region Construction Office
Phone: (02) 2322-9953; 0928-767-750
E-mail: u756989@taipower.com.tw