Taiwan intends to increase its wind power generation by more than five-fold over the next three years, energy officials said, at a cost of $915 million. Taiwan, which presently imports more than 98% of its fuel, will accept bids from private firms for the rights to build turbines along the island’s west coast and on the outlying island of Penghu.
The goal is to boost off-shore wind power generation to as much as 1,200 megawatts (MW), up from the current 217.2 MW. The additional energy will help the island reach a government-mandated target of 10% alternative energy by 2010, up from between 3-5% currently.
Government officials fear power reserve levels could fall perilously low in coming years due to delays in the construction of a fourth nuclear power plant and opposition to new fossil fuel-fired plants.
Currently windpower accounts for only 0.4% of Taiwan’s installed capacity, though another 610 MW are either under construction or in the planning phases. Coal-fired plants currently produce 32.6% of installed power and natural gas, 31.8%, according to Taiwan Power Company, the state utility.
The first phase of bidding will be to supply 300 MW of power to be sold to TaiPower.
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