Falling water level in Taiwan lake threatens power generation

• 3 years ago (2021-03-15)
• David Flin

Asia 847 Hydropower 111

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Central and south Taiwan has been hit by a severe drought following a year without typhoons. The water level in Central Taiwan’s Sun Moon lake and the nearby Wushe reservoir has fallen such that if it falls much more, local power generation will be threatened.

The water level in Sun Moon lake has dropped from its normal 748.48m by over 10m to 737.69m. According to government regulations, a fall to 735m will trigger an emergency meeting of the water authorities, while if it falls to a level below 732m, production of hydropower will become impaired.

The absolute minimum necessary for hydropower electricity production is 727m. Water officials have said that they had taken steps to allow more water to enter the system from upstream, and that this should prevent the water level falling to that level.