An explosion and fire at the Hsinta Power Plant has prompted Kaohsiung officials to demand energy diversity. Moreover, Mayor Chen Chi-mai highlighted the city’s electricity risks, noting that residents bear the consequences of power production.
Chen emphasized that Kaohsiung has reduced reliance on coal by increasing gas power generation. Consequently, the city currently emits roughly 50 million tonnes of carbon annually. He added that officials will place coal units on standby and speed up decommissioning to reduce emissions.
He argued that each municipality must meet its own electricity needs. Kaohsiung has long produced surplus power, sending about 30% to other regions. Therefore, Chen stressed that exporting electricity imposes an unfair environmental burden on residents.
Calling for reform, Chen urged the central government to accelerate power-mix changes and distribute generation more evenly. He warned that incidents like the Hsinta explosion show the dangers of concentrated energy production. Furthermore, energy diversity, he said, would make cities safer and more resilient.
Meanwhile, the KMT caucus in Kaohsiung’s City Council criticized central energy policies and the lack of proper oversight. Council leader Huang Hsiang-shu said new units at Hsinta were originally planned for operation next year; however, schedules moved up to align with a “nuclear-free” goal, raising safety concerns.
Huang insisted safety must come first. Residents reported a gas leak before the blast, he said, making a thorough investigation crucial. In addition, he noted that the city has limited authority over plant inspections, leaving officials unable to check hazardous conditions fully.
Local leaders believe energy diversity can prevent overdependence on a single power source. They argue that decentralizing electricity production ensures communities face less risk. Consequently, Chen concluded that Kaohsiung will continue advocating for fairer and safer energy policies while supporting emissions reduction.
As the city pushes forward, officials say public safety and sustainable electricity must guide all future decisions. Therefore, advocates insist achieving energy diversity will reduce risks, share responsibilities fairly, and protect residents from similar disasters.
