Article

On March 16, 2026, a fire occurred at the Zhuyuan Extra High Voltage Substation in Hsinchu, Taiwan, during testing operations of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM). The fire, exacerbated by insulating oil, led to one fatality and two injuries among contractor personnel.

Firefighters contained the blaze after over five hours. Despite initial concerns, electricity supply to the Hsinchu Science Park was not disrupted. Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao ordered a work suspension and investigation into the incident, emphasizing the importance of safety in power infrastructure. Occupational accident support mechanisms have been activated for affected workers.