A GE Vernova-led project, completed in just 10 months, is helping Taiwan’s efforts for a more reliable power supply, along with supporting the integration of renewable energy resources in the country.

Darrell Proctor

Taiwan has long relied on fossil fuels to produce the island’s electricity. The country has limited domestic energy resources, and thus has had to import coal and petroleum products to support its power generation.

Officials over the past decade have realized the need to move Taiwan toward cleaner energy, including transitioning from primarily coal-fired generation (about 43% of the energy mix in 2023, according to Taiwanese government data) to more gas-fired power output (about 40% last year), and increasing the use of renewable energy resources. The government announced policy guidelines for energy development in 2012, and has amended its targets over the past several years in response to environmental and other considerations.

Taiwan’s Renewable Energy Development Act, or REDA, aims to increase the percentage of gas-fired power in the country to 50% by next year. GE Vernova officials said the company “is laser-focused to support the country’s transition,” including a plan to supply Taiwan Power Co. (TPC or Taipower) with more than 10 GW of gas-fired power generation by 2026, including from the company’s 7HA series of gas turbines. The units are expected to gradually replace coal-fired power plants, and support increased demand for power, including from the semi-conductor industry.

The Tung Hsiao Power Plant Renewal Project, located in Miaoli County, is among the innovative gas-fired power plants in Taiwan that is using equipment from GE Vernova. Tung Hsiao is a first-of-its-kind aeroderivative gas turbine technology installation in that country. The six LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative, highly modular units can deliver up to 180 MW of electricity.

Construction of the project began in February 2022. The plant was connected to the grid on December 30 of that year, and began grid-connected trials in 2023.

The plant is engineered to provide additional flexibility to Taiwan’s power generation fleet, supporting the country’s coal-to-gas transition along with enabling increased use of renewable energy (primarily from offshore wind farms), as Taiwan works toward a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from power generation by 2050. The GE Vernova gas turbines also are capable of hydrogen burning blended with natural gas.

“This plant plays a crucial role in supporting the diversification of energy sources in Taiwan. We are proud to provide fast, flexible and more sustainable aeroderivative gas power—on or off the grid—to support TPC in their energy transition program and support the increased use of renewable solar and wind power,” said Ramesh Singaram, CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power for Asia, in a statement after the facility entered operation. “The scope and nature of this EPC [engineering, procurement, and construction] turnkey project were extraordinary. GE Vernova not only provided its advanced aeroderivative gas turbine solutions, but the various supporting and auxiliary components of a power plant system required to produce energy. Additionally, we completed this project with full adherence to Taiwan Power Corp. requirements while strengthening and maintaining the high safety standard.”

The plant’s importance to Taiwan’s energy transition is among the reasons it’s been chosen to receive a POWER Top Plant award for gas-fired power generation.

10-Month Construction Timeline

Construction of the Tung Hsiao project was completed within 10 months (Figure 1). It’s notable that GE Vernova—active in Taiwan since 1961—has more than 30 gas turbines installed on the island, providing about 6 GW of power generation capacity. The company has said it supports “Taiwan’s 5+2 Industrial Innovation Plan, which focuses on seven industries and projects that can promote innovation, create high-income job opportunities, and support balanced development in high-value business sectors.”

A key component of the project is that the company’s aeroderivative gas turbine solutions can run on blends of hydrogen, supporting “a future path towards a 100% hydrogen combustion over this decade to further support Taiwan Power Co.’s decarbonization initiatives,” said GE Vernova. Company officials added, “As the gas turbine original equipment manufacturer, GE Vernova is best-positioned to support and increase the blending of hydrogen and natural gas now and in the future.”

The new units at Tung Hsiao can go from startup to full load in as few as eight minutes. They already are capable of burning a fuel blend containing as much as 35% hydrogen, with the expectation that will increase to 100% capability over this decade.

The units also are capable of helping reduce emissions and providing reliable power as they replace generation from older coal-fired plants. They can support grid firming services, helping manage energy shortages and stabilizing the power grid.

Taiwan Company Supports Construction

Among the companies working on the Tung Hsiao project was Taiwan-based AIDC, considered among the earliest Taiwanese companies involved in system integration and control of gas turbine generator sets, as well as whole plant planning and engineering. AIDC is known for providing turnkey services of biogas power plant and energy plant development to help meet the requirements of both domestic and foreign customers.

Prismecs, a Houston, Texas–based company that provides equipment and engineering services, is providing the scope of operations and maintenance for at least the first two years of the plant’s grid connection, according to the company.