Taiwan’s outlying Penghu County is set to create a public-private sector clean energy venture that will transform the archipelago into a major producer of wind power.
“This initiative will see Penghu meet 56 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy while slashing county carbon emissions by 50 percent over the next four years,” Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said March 22.
According to Shih, wind farms capable of generating 96 megawatts per year by 2015 will be constructed as part of the project. This figure is eventually expected to reach 124 megawatts, enough to power the county’s 77,000 households.
“The initiative may also be expanded to include offshore facilities if the need arises,” Shih said.
Penghu County Magistrate Wang Qian-fa said the local government and a subsidiary of Taiwan Power Co. will own 49 percent of the new entity. “The remainder is to be held by the private sector, with 10 percent reserved for Penghu residents,” he added.
“Wind power is a public asset of Penghu, and it is only appropriate that local residents share the benefits of harnessing this natural resource.”
The venture is expected to be greenlighted by the county government in June and established in July, Wang said, adding that an initial share offering is slated for the fourth quarter of this year.
