To achieve the dual goals of stable power supply and environmental protection, gas-fired generators play an indispensable and key role. In addition to going full swing in its series of expansion plans in Datang and Tunghsiao power plants, Taipower is also accelerating its pace while formulating new construction plans for the Hsinta, Taichung and Hsieh-ho combined cycle power plants. This morning (the 9th), Taipower held the "Hsinta Power Plant Gas Unit" signing ceremony in the Taipower Building. Taipower Chairman Yang Wei-Fu signed a contract with General Electric Company- Asia Pacific President Mr. Ramesh Singaram and CTCI Corporation Chairman Michael Yang. Distinguished guests including the Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua, the Executive Director of State-owned Enterprise Commission Liou Ming-Jong and the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan William Brent Christensen were invited to witness the signing.
Taipower states that today’s signing ceremony is a part of the "Hsinta Power Plant and Taichung Power Plant Combined Cycle Power Plants Project". Taipower plans to install three new advanced combined cycle power units in the Hsinta Power Plant and two units in the Taichung Power Plant. The project is jointly contracted to one of the world's top three combustion turbine engine manufacturer, the US General Electric Company and Taiwan's CTCI Corporation. The bid amount is equivalent to about NT$100 billion, and the total installed capacity is about 6.5 million kW. It can feed about 16.24% of the power supply of the power system. The project not only plays an important role in future power supply but can also reduce air pollution emissions at the same time, thus taking into account both stable power supply and environmental protection.
Taipower points out that the Hsinta Power Plant is the first plant to complete signing the contract. Taipower is very grateful to the Kaohsiung City Government for its full support and assistance so that the preliminary construction of the new gas-fired unit can be successfully implemented in early June this year. If completed and launched as scheduled, it will improve the air quality of Kaohsiung City. In addition, although the two new gas units for the Taichung Power Plant are also included in the five-unit project and have been approved by the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee, the urban design reviews and outflow control plans are pending review and approval by the Taichung City Government. Therefore the signing ceremony for the units could not be jointly held at this time.
Taipower explains that the new gas-fired units in Hsinta Power Plant will take over in 2024. The existing coal-fired Units 1 and 2 will be decommissioned by the end of 2023. Coal-fired Units 3 and 4 will be converted into standby units at the end of 2024 and will be decommissioned at the end of 2025 and 2026, respectively. Thus Hsinta Power Plant will be reborn and become a model power plant for clean energy.
Taipower adds that gas-fired units are key to the promotion of environmental protection measures such as future coal reduction and emission reduction. The gas-fired combined cycle generator unit generates power by using a combination of "gas turbine" and "steam turbine". After the gas turbine drives the generator to produce electricity, the hot gas emitted from the gas turbine is discharged into a heat recovery boiler to heat the boiler water to produce steam. The steam then drives the steam turbine to generate electricity for the second time. Therefore, although the capacity of a combined cycle gas-fired unit is higher than that of a coal-fired unit, its combustion process produces fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants.
Taipower emphasizes that this signing ceremony is of great significance. It is turning the support and expectation of environmental protection from all walks of life into concrete actions. Taipower hopes that local governments can take actions in air quality improvement by supporting the promotion of new gas-fired units plans, and strive to give local residents good air.
Spokesperson: Chang Ting-Shu, Chief Administrator
Telephone: (02)2366-6271/ 0936-625-552
Email: u742433@taipower.com.tw
Business Contact: Chiang Ming-De, Director of the Department of Nuclear and Fossil Power Projects
Telephone: (02)2322-9401/0932-282-596
Email：u670291@taipower.com.tw