TPC stated today (March 6th), in response to public concerns regarding the plan to retain and extend the service life of existing gas-fired units in the Hsinta Power Plant renovation project, that the Hsinta Phase II project will meet the growing electricity demand in Kaohsiung. The project is premised on "no net increase in air pollution" across both new and existing units. The existing gas-fired units are also continuously improving their environmental emissions. For example, since 2019, NT$12.5 billion has been invested in refurbishing core components, resulting in a reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by over 50% upon completion. TPC emphasized that it will continue to maintain a stable power supply while also improving air quality.
TPC explained that Kaohsiung's industrial development has been booming in recent years, and the local government's push to transition cogeneration facilities away from coal has driven a significant increase in electricity demand. To meet growing demand, TPC continues to advance power infrastructure development. The Hsinta Phase II renovation project involves constructing two new gas-fired combined cycle units with a combined installed capacity not exceeding 2.8 GW. This will provide local power supply, enhance grid resilience, and incorporate the latest pollution control equipment. Power generation is expected to come online gradually from 2032.
TPC emphasized that while the new gas-fired units (3.9 GW) from Hsinta Phase I have been coming online progressively, the existing coal-fired units (2.1 GW) are being decommissioned simultaneously. If all the existing gas-fired units (2.2 GW) are decommissioned on schedule, the plant's total generating capacity will decrease rather than increase, making it insufficient to support the growing electricity demands as Kaohsiung continues to attract high-tech industries, including AI and semiconductors.
TPC pointed out that to ensure the safe and stable electricity supply for residential and industrial use, TPC plans to extend the service life of the existing gas-fired units at Hsinta in accordance with the principle of "decommissioning schedules adjusted according to policies and the environment" as stated in the environmental impact assessment report. The actual decommissioning schedule of the existing units will be adjusted according to current domestic and international environmental conditions to support the electricity needed for diversified social development. Furthermore, the five existing gas-fired units at the Hsinta Power Plant have actively completed air pollution reduction efforts in recent years. Since 2019, NT$12.5 billion has been invested in retrofitting core components, completed in 2023, resulting in a reduction of NOx emissions by more than 50%.
TPC stated that it continues to promote environmental improvements in its power units, and in recent years, air pollution emissions from thermal power plants have been reduced by nearly 70%. Regarding the Hsinta Phase II project, the environmental impact statement will fully explain the necessity of bringing the new units online and the extension of service life for the existing gas-fired units. Air pollution simulations and assessments will also be conducted to ensure stable power supply while also considering the air quality in Kaohsiung.