TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Academia Sinica and CPC Corporation began drilling Taiwan’s first deep geothermal exploratory well in Yuanshan, Yilan, on Monday (Oct. 21).

Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝), who attended the opening ceremony, said Taiwan’s deep geothermal potential could reach up to 40 GW, with the possibility of developing up to 1,000 wells, per CNA.

Academia Sinica President James Liao (廖俊智) noted that developing deep geothermal resources has been challenging due to limitations in exploration and drilling technology, which made identifying heat sources difficult, per UDN. In collaboration with CPC, geologists and drilling engineers from across Taiwan have joined efforts to locate high-temperature heat sources.

Liao explained that it took two years to confirm the drilling site, utilizing geophysical techniques like magnetotellurics and seismic imaging to create a 3D model of the underground heat source and identify the geothermal reservoir. The ongoing exploration aims to enhance understanding of Yilan’s underground heat sources.

Academia Sinica highlighted Taiwan’s abundance of geothermal resources, given its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. These resources offer a stable energy source, unaffected by weather conditions. CPC said the 2024 land exploration budget is set at NT$1.68 billion (US$52.5 million), with plans to drill four wells.