Strong Northeast Monsoon in Taiwan - Wind Power Instantaneous Generation Surpasses 2 GW

Recently, the strengthening of the northeast monsoon has bolstered wind power generation. Taipower announces that the instantaneous wind power generation has surpassed the 2 GW milestone for the first time since Sunday (21st). The peak, recorded at 16:22 on 21st, reached 203.7 MW, setting a new historical high, almost equivalent to the total output of four Hsinda coal-fired units. Most of the time, it maintained an output of over 190 MW, generating approximately 2 million kilowatt-hours in an hour, supplying the daily electricity needs of nearly 200,000 households. With favorable wind conditions in Taiwan, especially during the autumn and winter, wind power proves effective, reducing reliance on thermal power generation. It also allows for ample energy storage during the day, optimizing the overall power dispatching during the air pollution season.

Taipower notes that renewable energy has seen rapid growth with government and private sector support in recent years. Looking back, the instantaneous wind power generation exceeded 1 GW for the first time in November 2022. It has now doubled in a little over a year, surpassing 2 GW. Photovoltaics, wind, and solar instantaneous generation already surpassed 600 MW at the end of 2022. Now, with favorable weather conditions, it has frequently exceeded 800 MW.

Taipower explains that current power dispatching prioritizes renewable energy. As the share of renewable energy in the generation mix increases, the need for coal and gas-fired units decreases. Furthermore, renewable energy is gradually changing dispatching patterns. In the past, pump-storage hydroelectricity unit needed to release a large amount of water for electricity generation during daytime and evening peak hours. pump-storage unit also benefit from renewable energy support during the day. Even during the highest noon demand peaks, there is flexibility to pump and store energy, concentrating electricity usage during the evening peaks.

Reference: Taipower