Taipower Refutes Taichung Mayor, Confirming Coal Use Dropped as Gas Rose

Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yuan stated on the 18th that “after nuclear power plants were shut down, coal consumption at the Taichung Power Plant increased by 50 percent.” This claim was immediately refuted by the Taiwan Power Company (TPC) as misinformation. TPC clarified that the Taichung Power Plant has not increased its coal usage due to nuclear outages; instead, it is actively advancing an energy transition plan focused on increasing natural gas usage while reducing coal. Since coal consumption at the Taichung Power Plant hit a historic peak of 18.39 million tons in 2014, it has dropped significantly to an estimated 11 million tons in 2025. The plant aims for a target of 10.5 million tons this year, representing a decline of over 40 percent from the peak.

The reduction in coal usage at the Taichung Power Plant reflects the concrete implementation of Taiwan’s energy policy shift toward low-carbon development. Since 2016, the Taiwan government has gradually phased out nuclear power plants while encouraging a higher share of natural gas and renewable energy. In recent years, the Taichung Power Plant has completed multiple upgrades to integrate natural gas into its power generation lines and has improved the operational efficiency of its gas turbine units to reduce reliance on coal. These measures have not only lowered carbon emissions but also decreased demand for imported coal, holding significant implications for enhancing energy security.

Furthermore, Mayor Lu’s remarks reflect local government concerns and anxieties regarding energy policy. Her comments may have stemmed from worries about power supply security and rising costs following nuclear outages, leading to fears that coal usage would consequently increase. However, public data from TPC indicates that coal consumption at the Taichung Power Plant has been decreasing, with no evidence of short-term substitution due to nuclear shutdowns. This clarification helps alleviate public confusion and uncertainty surrounding the energy transition process.

From an economic perspective, reducing coal usage can lower energy import costs and mitigate sensitivity to fluctuations in international coal prices. The Taichung Power Plant’s strategy of increasing gas and reducing coal also promotes the development of the natural gas industry, driving growth in related supply chains. In the long term, if Taiwan continues to advance natural gas integration and renewable energy development, it will help enhance the diversification and resilience of energy supply, aligning with international trends toward carbon reduction.

In summary, the Taichung Power Plant has achieved a significant decline in coal consumption and provides a practical example for Taiwan’s energy transition through its strategy of increasing gas and reducing coal. While Mayor Lu’s concerns originated from a focus on energy security, actual data from TPC shows that the Taichung Power Plant has not increased coal usage due to nuclear outages; rather, it continues to lower coal consumption, consistent with Taiwan’s long-term goals for low-carbon development. (Source: CNA)