Wushantou Reservoir  Wushanling Tunnel  Jhuoshuei River Pilotage Facilities

Water Supply, Water Drainage, Anti-flooding, and Anti-dampness Facilities 

Q1：Please describe the power plant setup process by Chia-Nan Irrigation Association.

A：The project was originally to be undertaken by Taiwan Power Company. However, TPC’s cost estimations for the construction amounted to a staggering NT$700,000,000 that it had to be called off. Later, Chia-Nan Irrigation Association decided to construct the power plant by itself so it collaborated with Formosa Chemical Fibre Corporation. The reason why FCFC was chosen was that this company was well experienced in power plant constructions, and it offered all the techniques needed. Irrigation Association only had to offer resources.
This power plant took 2 years to complete at a cost of NT$360,000,000. The time spent was half the estimated time by TPC.

Q2：How is electricity generated?

A：The difference in water level generates electricity. The height of the reservoir is about 55meters, and the height of the power plant is about 30meters. This difference in distance allows the generator to turn and generate electricity.

Q3：How much money was spent on the power plant construction? How long did it take?

A：It cost about NT$360,000,000 and took 1 year and 8 months to complete.

Q4：Were there problems during the construction period?

A：There weren’t major problems but at the time of the 20-meter digging, there were concerns over whether or not houses nearby the work station would collapse.

Q5：Which department does the power plant fall under? What is the present draw-up?

A：Some thought that Wushantou Power Plant was under Irrigation Association but that’s not entirely true. Wushantou Plant and Sikou Power Plant both fall under the jurisdiction of Chia-Nan Industrial Co., Ltd. This company is co-funded by Chia-Nan Irrigation Association, and Taiwan Chemical Fibre Corporation. The president and GM of the company are the chairman and the chief operating officer of Irrigation Association. I was hired as the section head of public works but we don’t fall under Irrigation Association. I’m in charge of both power plants. In regular days, I request work station staff of Irrigation Association to assist me.

Q6：What is the power generating capacity of the power plant? Is it the same every month? Are there highs and lows? What is the cause for it? Does agricultural land water drainage have something to do with it?

A：The power generating capacity is approx. 8,750 kilowatts. The power generating capacity varies every month. Yes, it has something to do with Wushantou water drainage for irrigation purposes. Normally, it is the highest in September, and October. Sometimes, it reaches as high as 9,000 kilowatts. After harvest, water supply reduces and so does the power generating capacity. Second rice crop begins in August. At this time, the power generating capacity increases gradually. By September, and October, the power generating capacity increases again. At the end of November, rice fields reap, and fallow. Water supplied by the reservoir stops, and the power plant also has to stop operating. Water supply and power generating resume at the end of January the following year when first rice crop begins again.

Q7：How is electricity generated by the power plant utilized?

A：According to power regulations, privately generated electricity shall be sold to Taiwan Power Company. Naturally, electricity generated by Wushantou Plant, and Sikou Power Plant are sold to TPC. We signed up a 20-year contract with TPC. The agreement states that the buying price per kilowatt is a little over $1. 7% of the income from the sales shall go to Chia-Nan Irrigation Association.
The selling price of electricity generated by Wushantou Hydro Power Plant was agreed on before Renewable Energy Regulation was passed. The selling price is therefore lower. On the contrary, Sikou Power Plant is able to sell electricity at over $2 because a contract was signed after the regulation passed.

Q8：When was Sikou Hydro Power Plant completed? What is the construction expenditure? Power generating capacity? Utilization?

A：Sikou Hydro Power Plant was constructed by the 20-meter difference in distance nearby Shukeng, Sikou. Power plant. Power is generated when process water passes from Zequn River Reservoir to Wushantou Reservoir. Since Sikou is the reservoir resource protection zone of Sikou, construction can not begin unless it undergoes de-compiling, and environmental assessments executed by The Ministry of Economic Affairs. In March, 2003, construction began. It cost about NT$550,000,000 and the power generating capacity is approx. 11,500 kilowatts. This electricity still has to be sold to Taiwan Power Company. Its use is at the sole discretion of TPC.

Q9：Are there any other water resource reutilization plans in the future?

A：There are currently 2 to 3 cases on hand or but the conditions of these cases are not favorable for Irrigation Association so they are still pending further planning.

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