Taiwan Delays Ocean Thermal Energy Project Over Environmental Concerns

Taiwan's environment ministry has delayed approval for an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant at the Heping coal-fired power plant due to concerns over deep-sea environmental impacts. The project aims to draw cold water from 600 meters below the Pacific to generate electricity using temperature differences.

Regulators have raised issues regarding the ecological effects of deep-sea water extraction and the adequacy of existing environmental data. Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC), the project's developer, has been asked to provide additional information on monitoring and mitigating impacts on marine ecosystems, including whales and dolphins.

The project has faced multiple delays, with completion phases targeted for 2029 and 2033. Taiwan aims to increase renewable energy capacity to approximately 27 GW by 2025, focusing on solar and offshore wind power, while OTEC represents a potential baseload power source but faces regulatory scrutiny due to environmental uncertainties.