
Wind and solar generation reached 10.01 gigawatts on Sunday, a new record for renewable energy production in Taiwan. Taipower also stated that the wind and solar energy penetration rate also reached 52.37%, not only exceeding 40% for the first time, but exceeding 50% in one fell swoop.
Energy penetration rates refer to the percentage of electricity generated and consumed by a source out of the total active power generated and consumed by all sources. Taipower reported that the penetration rate of wind and solar power exceeded 30% for the first time during the Lunar New Year holidays in 2023. This year, with wind and solar at more than 52%, renewable energy now makes up over half of all power used.
Taipower elaborates that energy from solar photovoltaics exceeded 8 million kilowatts for the first time, which also set a historical record. Overall wind power generation also reached nearly 2 million kilowatts, highlighting its importance as part of the power supply and potential for replacing traditional energy units.
The high penetration rates come at a good time as Taipower shut down Datan Power Plant last Thursday to complete a gas line project with CPC Corporation. Power units were reconnected to the grid on Sunday.
Taipower stated that during the Lunar New Year holidays, a team of more than 700 people was specifically engaged in nationwide unit overhauls. More than 4,000 Taipower employees were also working every day on grid operation to ensure a stable power supply to the public.