TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung City Government launched a 185-kilowatt small hydropower facility in Shigang District to promote water resource reuse, CNA reported on Wednesday.
The facility generates about 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the yearly power consumption of around 250 households. According to its operator, Fong He Green Energy & Environment Co., the green energy produced is purchased and used by Delta Electronics.
Taichung Water Resources Bureau Director Fan Shih-i (范世億) said the facility, completed in July 2024, is located on a tributary of the Dajia River. Taipower operates a large hydropower plant upstream on the river, and the water released from power generation is first used for agricultural irrigation before entering the facility for secondary power generation.
He added that an additional turbine will be installed at the end of the facility’s water channel to increase electricity generation.
Fan said that Taiwan’s rivers are often steep, fast-moving, and carry large amounts of sediment, which makes developing hydropower challenging. He noted the establishment of such facilities must also take into account potential impacts on the environment and land ownership rights.
To overcome the challenges posed by river conditions, the facility uses a flexible water-powered turbine system and a partially covered design that helps shield it from strong currents. Its base is built 7 meters underground and includes a sideways water channel, allowing it to keep drawing water during dry seasons.
Fish had previously inhabited the waters near the facility, and the project initially raised concerns among environmental groups. In response, the city government conducted an environmental review, and construction only moved forward after the assessment confirmed minimal ecological impact.
Fan said the facility, together with the nearby water recycling center and the water sustainability exhibition hall, has become an educational site for promoting environmental awareness and water resource reuse.
