Taiwan’s state-owned electricity company has responded to concerns of an upcoming electricity capacity shortage leading to further blackouts. The statement by Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) on Friday comes a day after Taiwan recorded its highest-ever electricity consumption.
Taiwan has suffered two days of rolling blackouts in the past month after one of the country’s largest power plants tripped under high demand. Electricity consumption has been driven up by a thriving production sector, while unseasonably hot weather has kept air conditioners running countrywide. On Thursday, the country hit a peak power consumption of 38.022 gigawatts.
The recent shortages have led to concerns that Taiwan’s power grid will not be able to cope while several units at key power plants undergo annual maintenance. At least one unit at Hsieh-ho, Tatan, Hsinta, and Talin power plants is currently under repair. On top of that, one of two units at Taiwan’s largest nuclear power plant is due for decommission in mid-June.
But Taipower says it doesn’t expect to face any problems with power supply in the coming months. It says Chiahui Power Plant in Chiayi County can operate at capacity despite still undergoing testing. Taipower also says that Hsieh-ho Power Plant’s fourth unit will come back online before the nuclear power unit is decommissioned.
Taipower says that energy capacity from solar power and other green energy sources will also continue to rise in June.