China Fire Gas Phase II Environmental Impact Assessment was revoked by the Beijing High-tech Development Bank. Taipower: Cooperate with the Ministry of Environment to fight for no coal as soon as possible

Coal-fired units 1 and 2 of Taichung Power Plant bid farewell to power supply. (Provided by Taipower)

[Reporter Lin Jinghua/Report from Taipei] In response to the Taipei High Administrative Court's decision to revoke the Taichung Power Plant Gas Phase II environmental impact assessment conclusion, Taipower stated that it respects the court's decision, but considering that this case is related to important national energy policies, there are plans to consider environmental protection, carbon reduction and other considerations. After receiving the judgment and understanding the reasons for the judgment, Taipower will supplement evidence, clarify disputes, and assist the Ministry of Environment in subsequent actions.

The outside world is concerned about the environmental impact assessment process adopted for the second phase of the China Fire Project. Taipower stated that regardless of whether it adopts the first-stage or second-stage review process, Taipower respects the professional considerations of the competent authority, the Ministry of Environment. However, Taipower also emphasized that the Taipower Concorde Project has adopted a second-level review, which lasts for nearly seven years. Considering that Taichung City residents and environmental groups are eager to replace Taichung Power Plant with gas as soon as possible, the Ministry of Environment has professionally considered that the first-level review can realize the expectations of Taichung residents and environmental groups for coal reduction in China as soon as possible while taking into account review expertise and timeliness.

Taipower emphasized that the plan to build new gas-fired units in the second phase of the Taichung Power Plant is the core of the national policy of "increasing gas and reducing coal" and is the key to determining whether the existing coal-fired units No. 5 to 10 of the Taichung Power Plant can be successfully decommissioned. In order to balance power supply stability and environmental friendliness, Taipower has launched the demolition plan of the existing coal-fired units No. 1 and 2 of the Taichung Power Plant in October. It will continue to promote the second phase plan in the future and strive to achieve the goal of coal-free Taichung Power Plant as soon as possible.

Taipower pointed out that Taichung Power Plant has invested 44.1 billion yuan in upgrading unit air pollution control equipment since 2017, and continues to improve air pollution through multiple measures such as environmental load reduction, equipment performance improvement, and replacing coal with gas. Compared with 2014, Taichung Power Plant has so far reduced coal consumption by 7.39 million tons, reduced emissions by more than 30,000 tons, and reduced air pollution emissions by 80%. The emission reduction rate is the highest in Taichung City, far exceeding other stationary pollution sources.

Taipower explained that due to the rapid development of industries and cities in Taichung City in recent years, power demand has continued to soar. Since 2019, the existing units of the Taichung Power Plant have been unable to meet Taichung’s local power consumption and need to rely on support from other counties and cities. In order to ensure power supply for industries and people's livelihood, Taipower cooperates with the government's advance deployment to promote the plan to build a new gas-fired unit in the second phase of the Taichung Power Plant. This will not only meet the growing demand for electricity in the central region, but also accelerate the goal of Taichung Power Plant becoming coal-free.