‘NO POWER ISSUE’:An operating reserve of 7.2 percent can handle all emergencies, the premier said, dismissing questions over the lower-than-recommended amount

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 22, 2017
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter

Premier Lin Chuan (林全) yesterday apologized for a wide-ranging power blackout on Tuesday last week, while reaffirming the government’s energy transition objectives.

The blackout was caused by a disruption in natural gas supply after technicians did not follow standard procedures during routine replacement of a power supplier to a gas metering system of a major power plant in Taoyuan’s Datan Township (大潭), causing all six generators at the plant to shut down, Lin said.

The blackout and ensuing power rationing affected 5.92 million households nationwide, while 423 manufacturers reported losses and about 900 elevator failures were reported.

Taiwan Power Co said it would waive the affected users’ electricity bill for the day, totaling NT$360 million (US$11.87 million), and conduct a complete re-examination of the nation’s power system, Lin said.    [FULL  STORY]