Onshore Wind Energy Generation in Taiwan

CONTEXT

Taiwan relies on imports of oil and coal for the vast majority of its energy, and renewables currently make up only a tiny portion of the country’s total energy consumption. Due to its location, the island has the potential to harness strong wind both on- and offshore.

PROJECT

This large-scale project harnesses the strong prevailing winds along Taiwan’s Western coast, developing two onshore wind farms (one of 103.5MW and one of 46 MW). Combined, the wind farms consist of 62 turbines which generate renewable energy which is delivered straight to the national grid. Carbon emissions reductions of around 300,000 tonnes per year therefore come from the displacement of fossil fuel energy within the grid.

As well as helping accelerate the country’s shift toward renewables, boosting wind energy production helps to lessen the reliance on fossil fuel imports, representing an economic and national security boost as well. In addition, the project is engaged in several activities that help to preserve the local ecosystem – such as regular beach clean-ups and guided tours that raise awareness about climate change, pollution and other environmental issues. The project has also supported the reforestation of a small parcel of local land, which is encouraging local biodiversity.

VERIFICATION

This project is verified by the Gold Standard. You can view it on the Gold Standard registry here.

CLIMATE SOLUTION #2

ONSHORE WIND TURBINES

Onshore wind turbines generate electricity at a utility scale, comparable to power plants. They replace fossil fuels with emissions-free electricity.

Today, 314,000 wind turbines supply nearly 4 percent of global electricity, and it will soon be much more. In 2015, a record 63 gigawatts of wind power were installed around the world.

Onshore wind farms have small footprints, typically using no more than 1 percent of the land they sit on, so grazing, farming, recreation, or conservation can happen simultaneously with power generation. What’s more, it takes one year or less to build a wind farm—quickly producing energy and a return on investment.

From drawdown.org

Photography credit: Ecologi

UN’s SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

CHANGBIN AND TAICHUNG WIND POWER

As a customer of INNIKA, with every piece you purchase with us, your money goes towards supporting projects that are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here are the goals recognised by the Changbin and Taichung wind power project:

	Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.
	Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
	Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
	Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.