TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Land Management Agency (NLMA) has designated the Chimei sewage treatment plant as a national model for carbon neutrality, per Kaohsiung’s Water Resources Bureau on Tuesday (June 11).
According to a press release, the NLMA has allocated NT$70 million (US$2.16 million) to replace old equipment with energy-efficient alternatives and a solar power generation system. The project is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 500,000 tons, per CNA.
According to the 2022 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, emissions from sewage treatment accounted for 29.7% of total emissions in the environmental sector in 2020. In response, the NLMA is promoting a net zero emissions strategy for sewage systems, with the Chimei plant serving as the demonstration facility for carbon neutrality improvements.
The bureau said the project involves three components: replacing old equipment, generating new energy, and implementing smart controls.
“By upgrading its equipment, the plant's electricity consumption will be significantly reduced,” the bureau explained. “The installation of solar panels will provide power for the plant, and any surplus green electricity can be transferred to the Central District Sewage Treatment Plant for carbon credit use, ultimately achieving zero carbon emissions for the entire facility.”
To combat climate change, Taiwan announced its national net zero emissions pathway in March 2022. The plan includes four major transformation strategies to achieve its 2050 net zero vision.
The Chimei plant upgrade project is targeted for completion on Dec. 31.
