When Generator with Rescinded Permit Restarts, It Pokes a Hole in the Lie of Power Supply "Green to the End"

When Generator with Rescinded Permit Restarts, It Pokes a Hole in the Lie of Power Supply "Green to the End"

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

June 29, 2020

 Translation of an Excerpt

Taiwan’s peak electricity consumption reached a new high this year on the 24th, surpassing 37 million kWh for the first time. That night, the Taipower Company ignored Taichung City Hall’s earlier order of rescission, went straight to ignite generator No. 2 of the Taichung Coal-fired Power Plant, expecting to join the power supply grid today. Taipower claims that the Environmental Protection Agency has revoked the rescission order issued by City Hall, so it is not improper to restart the generator. Mayor Lu Shiow-yen expressed her anger and plans to issue a fine of NT$20 million and refer the case to the prosecutors.

Examining the power supply lights of Taipower in the first half of this year are all "green lights" representing sufficient power supply, and the daily backup capacity is more than 10%. If the green light for power supply were true, then what would be the reasons for Taipower to insist that generator No. 2 of the Taichung Coal-fired Power Plant must join the power grid at this time? Furthermore, the Tsai government’s energy policy focuses on reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and moving towards a nuclear-free homeland. At this moment, it is puzzling to understand that Taichung Coal-fired Power Plant ignored the fact that the air pollution caused by the burning of coal would imperil the health of residents in central Taiwan.

The incessant, strong pressure exerted by the central government on Taichung [City Hall] reflects the DPP's true colors of "double standards”. Taipower's collaboration in staging a show of a strongman can hardly cover its embarrassment in inadequate power supply. Oblivious to the results of plebiscites, the Tsai government insists on a rushed promotion of a nuclear-free homeland. Taipower forces the people in central Taiwan to accept the burning of coal in order to share "community hardship". It shows that the central government's energy policy in reality is porous everywhere. This time Taipower restarted generator No. 2 of the Taichung Coal-fired Power Plant is tantamount to poking a hole in the lie that its power supply would be "green to the end".

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