TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) unveiled a transformative energy strategy on Friday (Nov. 8). He instructed Taiwan Power Company (Taipower, 台電) to eliminate coal-fired power by 2034, only activating backup coal units during national emergencies or natural disasters. Premier Cho visited the Taichung Power Plant and announced plans to reassess the status of six backup units after 2032.
Cho outlined three key steps: notifying local governments immediately upon activating backup units, maintaining coal usage at 1% of the current allowance, and reviewing the future of six coal units post-2032. He emphasized the plant's significant contributions to Taiwan's industrial economy but acknowledged the burden on Taichung citizens.
He shared that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), during his tenure as premier, advanced air pollution control and equipment upgrades at the plant, with improvements expected to cut emissions by 70% in the first phase. The government has initiated gas unit projects to alleviate air pollution and pressure on residents without hindering industrial growth. The plan includes air pollution control, increased gas usage, and coal reduction, he commented.
