Mingtan Power Plant

Sun Moon Lake: Taiwan's Hydropower Hub and Green Energy Paragon. Sun Moon Lake is not only renowned for its beautiful scenery but also serves as the heart of Taiwan's hydropower generation, often described as the best illustration of 'white coal turning into gold.' Over the past eighty years, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has successively built multiple power plants here, including Daguan, Jugong, Minghu, Mingtan, and Shuili, as well as the Minghu and Mingtan Reservoirs specifically for pumped-storage hydropower. The high density of power plants and reservoirs near Checheng is rare on a global scale. Sun Moon Lake's total installed capacity reaches 2,768.3 kilowatts, accounting for 62% of Taiwan's total hydropower generation. Its advantage of possessing both conventional and pumped-storage hydropower resources makes it an ideal site for promoting energy conservation, carbon reduction, and renewable energy, as well as a highly informative tourist destination. Among Sun Moon Lake's numerous power generation facilities are two historic and uniquely functional power plants and reservoirs: Mingtan Jugong Branch Plant (formerly Sun Moon Lake Second Power Plant) The Mingtan Jugong Branch Plant, originally named Sun Moon Lake Second Power Plant, was constructed between December 1935 and 1937. It utilizes water discharged from the Sun Moon Lake First Power Plant, channeling it through a 4,409-meter long diversion tunnel, combining it with Tonggui Stream water, and then storing it in the Tonggui Regulating Pond. By harnessing a 123.6-meter water head, it generates 43.5 kilowatts of electricity. This power plant was named 'Jugong Power Plant' by Madame Chiang Kai-shek (Soong Mei-ling) in January 1963. It merged with the Mingtan Power Plant in March 1999 and is now known as the Mingtan Jugong Branch Plant. Mingtan Power Plant and Mingtan Reservoir: One of Taiwan's Largest Hydropower Projects The Mingtan Power Plant, also known as the Mingtan Pumped-Storage Power Plant, is Taiwan's second pumped-storage power project and one of the largest hydropower projects in Taiwan's history. It uses Sun Moon Lake as its upper reservoir and Mingtan Reservoir as its lower reservoir. Construction of the Mingtan Power Plant began in September 1987, and its six generator units progressively entered commercial operation between 1993 and 1994. This power plant utilizes a massive 380-meter head to drive its six generator units, reaching a total installed capacity of 1,602 kilowatts, making it one of the few large-scale pumped-storage hydropower plants in the world. Mingtan Reservoir is situated in the Shuili River valley at the border of Shuili Township and Yuchi Township, adjacent to Provincial Highway 131. This artificial lake was formed by constructing a large dam utilizing the topography of the Shuili River valley. Its primary function is to store the tailwater discharged after power generation from Sun Moon Lake. Both Mingtan and Minghu Reservoirs belong to the environmentally conscious 'pumped-storage power plants.' These artificial lakes were specifically built for hydropower generation. Pumped-storage hydropower utilizes water level differences for cyclical power generation. It not only allows flexible adjustment of power supply during peak and off-peak hours but is also a pollution-free clean energy source. The lower dam of Mingtan Reservoir adopts a concrete gravity dam structure. The reservoir's surface has a unique sickle shape, with a storage capacity of 12 million cubic meters. Its daily water level fluctuation can reach 28 meters, creating a peculiar lake tide phenomenon. Especially at dawn, the misty, cloud-shrouded scene adds a transcendent and ethereal quality. Whether visitors gaze at the lake from the highway or approach the waterside, they can deeply feel the unique serene and tranquil ambiance of clear mountains and bright waters.