General Electric Energy (Fairfield, CT) announced that it has been selected as the turbine supplier for the first large-scale, wind power project in Taiwan. The 39 MW project is part of a 10-year plan by Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) to promote wind energy, in accordance with the government's goal to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
GE will provide 26 of its 1.5 MW wind turbines. Three turbines will be installed at the Third Nuclear Power Station on the southern end of the island, three turbines at the Tah-Tarn Power Station and the remaining 20 turbines along the Tao-Yuan Kuan-Yin coastline. Once completed, the project is expected to generate about 100,000 MWh annually for an estimated 21,000 households. Electricity from the turbines will be delivered through underground transmission lines to existing substations in nearby power plants before it is sent to Taiwan’s power grid.
Over the next 10 years, Taipower plans to erect 200 wind turbines along the island's western corridor. Groundbreaking for the first installment of 26 turbines is scheduled to begin in 2004, with project completion expected by the spring of 2005.
