Taiwan Water Corporation Advances Green Energy Development with Launch of Hushan Small Hydropower Plant Setting a New Benchmark for Low-Carbon Sustainability
Taiwan Water Corporation Advances Green Energy Development with Launch of Hushan Small Hydropower Plant Setting a New Benchmark for Low-Carbon Sustainability
Taiwan Water Corporation has taken its green energy initiatives to the next level with the launch of the Hushan Small Hydropower Plant,
establishing a new benchmark for low-carbon sustainability.
On May 28th, Taiwan Water Corporation (TWC), in partnership with AES Mega, held the inauguration ceremony of the Hushan Small Hydropower Plant at the Hushan Water Purification Plant in Yunlin. This event highlights TWC's ongoing commitment to green energy development. Representatives from the Energy Administration, Water Resources Agency, Central Region Water Resources Branch, Yunlin County Government, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), the Taiwan SHP Industries Alliance, and Austrian equipment supplier GUGLER also attended, witnessing the results of successful public-private and international collaboration in advancing renewable energy.
The Hushan Small Hydropower Plant makes innovative use of the existing raw water pipeline—approximately 5.5 kilometers long with a 63-meter drop—between Hushan Reservoir and the water purification plant. It incorporates a high-efficiency Francis turbine system from Austria's GUGLER company, with an installed capacity of 1.5 MW and a design flow rate of 3 cubic meters per second. Capable of operating 24/7, the plant is a pioneering model for transforming tap water systems through "hydropower electrification." It generates electricity without disrupting water supply, balancing water resource sustainability with energy self-sufficiency. It is currently Taiwan's largest enclosed pipeline-based small-hydropower facility, expected to generate 9 million kWh annually, enough to power approximately 2,215 households, and reduce carbon emissions by 4,266 metric tons per year. This reduction is equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 11.1 Da'an Forest Parks, marking a significant contribution toward Taiwan's net-zero emission goals.
TWC Chairman Lee Jia-rong stated, "The Hushan Small Hydropower Project reflects our commitment to low-carbon transformation and unlocking the potential of existing infrastructure. This is more than a green energy initiative. It is a tangible demonstration of public-private cooperation toward a net-zero future. We will continue identifying viable water resource sites across Taiwan to expand the scale of hydropower and renewable energy, contributing to national energy transition and environmental sustainability."
TWC added that since 2022, it has been actively promoting small-hydropower development. Projects completed include the Lijia Water Purification Plant in Taitung and the Shalu Distribution Center in Taichung. The Lijia plant utilizes a 54-meter drop with a capacity of 130 kW, generating about 680,000 kWh annually, enough to supply approximately 200 households and reduce 336 metric tons of carbon emissions each year. The Shalu center utilizes a 76-meter head, with a capacity of 715 kW and estimated annual output of 4.8 million kWh, supplying about 1,333 households and reducing 2,371 metric tons of emissions annually. Looking ahead, TWC will continue expanding its green energy applications and advancing sustainable development of water resources.
A guided tour was conducted on-site to explain the operating principles and generation capacity
of the small hydropower facilities at the Hushan Water Treatment Plant.
