TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) approved the construction of a Tainan desalination plant on Thursday (Aug. 8). 

According to a press release from the MOI’s National Land Management Agency on Thursday, the plant will cover 16.9 hectares, making it the largest in southern Taiwan. It is expected to produce 200,000 tons of desalinated water daily, per CNA.

The agency said they avoided ecologically sensitive and densely populated areas during site selection. Green belts and conservation areas have been designated and the plant's buildings are required to obtain green certifications, it explained. 

The Water Resources Agency (WRA) has also coordinated with local fishing communities to mitigate the economic impact, the agency reported.

The agency explained that domestic water sources come from rainfall, and in recent years, extreme climate challenges have made rainfall unpredictable. Desalination plants are an emerging water resource that can offer a stable water supply, it said.