Keelung: Environmental activists on Wednesday vowed to take legal action against Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) over plans to convert an oil-fired power plant into a gas-fired facility approved by the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) earlier that day. The "Protect Waimushan Seashore Action Group" claimed on social media that Taipower violated environmental laws by not disclosing crucial information ahead of the environmental assessment impact meeting held in Taipei.
According to Focus Taiwan, the group plans to file a criminal complaint against Taiwan's state-owned power company to "revoke the illegal environmental assessment" that authorized the project's advancement, citing Article 11 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. The group criticized the MOENV's Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee for continuing discussions in a closed-door session that excluded protesters after public disagreements disrupted the meeting.
The activists expressed disapproval of the police force used to prevent them from entering the closed session. However, the MOENV later praised the Seventh Special Police Corps for protecting committee members while condemning the violence at the meeting.
Taipower's initiative to convert the Hsieh-ho Power Plant in Keelung City from oil-fired to gas-fired, along with building a nearby liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal, has cleared the second-stage environmental impact assessment, signifying a significant move towards project realization. The plans have undergone six preliminary second-stage meetings since 2018 in line with MOENV protocol.
Taipower has defended the necessity of the refitting to "stabilize the power supply" and "improve air quality" in northern and northeastern Taiwan, where the current demand reaches 6 million kilowatts. Despite this, concerns over pollution persist, with accusations of Taipower concealing evidence of polychlorinated biphenyl soil contamination.
In response, Taipower issued a press release promising to complete "remediation work on contaminated land in compliance with the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act" before starting formal construction. The company refuted claims of data concealment, asserting that it complied with legal requirements during the environmental impact assessment.
Additionally, Taipower noted adjustments in response to local concerns about coral reef environments, including relocating the project site and minimizing land reclamation for the LNG terminal. The Hsieh-ho Power Plant, situated near Keelung City's urban core, currently operates two oil-fired units with a 500-megawatt capacity each, initiated in 1980 and 1985.
Taipower's plans align with Taiwan's official energy strategy to promote green energy, increase natural gas usage, reduce coal reliance, and achieve a nuclear-free status, as detailed on the Ministry of Economic Affairs' website.