Premier Mao Chi-kuo is calling on Taiwanese people to use less electricity this summer. Mao’s call for electricity conservation comes as the state-owned Taipower Company reports that backup electricity capacity for July could be down to as low as 2.2%.
Mao said that with the decommissioning of the Linkou Power Plant in northern Taiwan and the hot weather, electricity supplies could be tight this summer. Cabinet Spokesman Sun Lih-chyun spoke Thursday about remarks the premier made earlier in the day.
“According to statistics from the economics ministry, the backup electricity capacity for the summer season might only be at 2%," said Sun.
"Let’s assume a big power plant like the Yunlin Mailiao Power Plant which normally has a power supply of 10 to 11% could not generate electricity. Then there would be a shortage of power. Not only will there be restrictions on industrial power use, there will also be rolling blackouts affecting civil power use. This is not just a warning. It could become normal.”
Premier Mao said that counties and cities have already begun implementing energy-saving plans. He said the Cabinet is pushing for the use of renewable energy. It could take 5 to 10 years for a renewable energy plan to go into effect. Mao said that he has also asked the economics ministry to activate a plan to collect natural gas for electricity generation.