Overview
The Hai-Fu Power Plant is a 980 MW natural gas combined cycle power station located in Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. The facility is currently operational and serves as a key component of the regional energy infrastructure. The plant is operated by EverPower IPP Co. Ltd., a company with its head office in Taichung. The power station utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel source and consists of two KA24-2 turbines. The turnkey project for the facility was awarded to ABB in 1996. The plant is situated approximately 5 km north east of Taoyuan International Airport, positioning it strategically within the Taoyuan metropolitan area.
Technical Specifications and Turbine Configuration
The Hai-Fu Power Plant utilizes combined cycle technology to generate electricity, with a total installed capacity of 980 MW. This capacity is derived from two primary generating units, each equipped with a KA24-2 gas turbine. The plant operates on natural gas as its primary fuel source. The turnkey project for the facility was awarded to ABB in 1996.Turbine and Cycle Configuration
The station consists of two KA24-2 turbines. These turbines are central to the plant's combined cycle operation. The combined cycle configuration allows for efficient energy conversion by utilizing the exhaust heat from the gas turbines to generate additional power through steam turbines, although specific details on the steam turbine models are not provided in the available grounding. The plant is located in Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, approximately 5 km (3 mi) north east of Taoyuan International Airport.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Entity Type | Gas Power Plant |
| Primary Fuel | Natural Gas |
| Total Capacity | 980 MW |
| Turbine Model | KA24-2 |
| Number of Turbines | 2 |
| Technology | Combined Cycle |
| Operator | EverPower IPP Co. Ltd. |
| Commissioning Year | 1996 |
| Location | Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan |
| Proximity | 5 km (3 mi) north east of Taoyuan International Airport |
| Turnkey Contractor | ABB |
Ltd., which has its head office in Taichung. The facility has been operational since its commissioning in 1996. The specific arrangement of the two KA24-2 turbines allows the plant to maintain a significant power output for the regional grid. The location near Taoyuan International Airport provides strategic access to infrastructure, although the specific impact of the airport on the plant's operations is not detailed in the current grounding. The use of natural gas as the primary fuel source positions the Hai-Fu Power Plant within the broader context of Taiwan's natural gas-fired generation capacity.
Location and Regional Context
The Hai-Fu Power Plant is situated within the Luzhu District of Taoyuan City in Taiwan. This location places the facility in a strategically significant area of northern Taiwan, characterized by a mix of industrial development and growing urban density. The plant’s geographic positioning is closely tied to the region's major transportation infrastructure, specifically its proximity to Taoyuan International Airport. According to the, the station is located 5 km (3 mi) north east of the airport, a distance that facilitates logistical access for maintenance and fuel delivery while maintaining a buffer from the immediate airport perimeter.
The choice of Luzhu District as the site for this natural gas-fired combined cycle power station reflects the broader energy infrastructure planning in the Taoyuan metropolitan area. Taoyuan City has evolved into a key economic hub in Taiwan, and the Hai-Fu Power Plant contributes to the regional grid stability with its 980 MW capacity. Ltd., a company with its head office in Taichung, indicating a strategic operational reach across the island. The facility was commissioned in 1996, making it a long-standing component of Taiwan's energy mix in the northern region.
Geographic Coordinates and Infrastructure Proximity
The precise location of the Hai-Fu Power Plant in Luzhu District offers specific advantages for a natural gas power station. The proximity to Taoyuan International Airport, one of Taiwan's busiest aviation hubs, underscores the integrated nature of the region's infrastructure. The 5 km distance to the airport is a notable geographic marker, helping to define the plant's location relative to a well-known landmark. This proximity may also influence local environmental considerations and noise management strategies, although specific details on these aspects are not provided in the current grounding data.
| Location Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| District | Luzhu District |
| City | Taoyuan City |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Proximity to Airport | 5 km (3 mi) north east of Taoyuan International Airport |
| Operator Head Office | Taichung |
The Luzhu District itself is part of the larger Taoyuan metropolitan area, which has seen significant growth in recent decades. The presence of a major power plant in this district highlights the area's role in supporting the energy needs of both the local population and the surrounding industrial zones. The plant's operational status as an active facility since 1996 demonstrates its enduring importance to the regional energy infrastructure. The use of natural gas as the primary fuel source aligns with Taiwan's efforts to diversify its energy portfolio and reduce reliance on coal and nuclear power in certain regions.
Project History and Development
The development of the Hai-Fu Power Plant was defined by a significant industrial partnership established in the mid-1990s. The project was structured as a turnkey initiative, a procurement model where a single contractor is responsible for the complete design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of the facility. This approach was selected to streamline the development of the natural gas-fired combined cycle station in Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
In 1996, the turnkey contract for the Hai-Fu Power Plant was awarded to ABB. This award marked a critical phase in the plant's realization, entrusting the global technology group with the integration of the power generation assets. The technical scope included the installation of two KA24-2 turbines, which form the core of the 980 MW capacity. The assignment of this project to ABB in 1996 aligns with the plant's commissioning date in the same year, indicating a rapid execution timeline for the construction and operational readiness of the facility.
The customer and operator of the plant is EverPower IPP Co. Ltd. EverPower serves as the primary independent power producer (IPP) responsible for the operational management of the station. The company maintains its head office in Taichung, positioning it as a key energy infrastructure entity in central Taiwan. As the customer in the 1996 agreement with ABB, EverPower IPP Co. Ltd. oversaw the delivery of the turnkey project, ensuring the integration of the natural gas supply systems and the turbine technology required for the combined cycle operation.
The location of the Hai-Fu Power Plant, situated 5 km northeast of Taoyuan International Airport, was a strategic consideration for the project's development. The proximity to the airport influenced the logistical and environmental parameters of the turnkey project awarded to ABB. EverPower IPP Co. Ltd. has maintained the operational status of the plant since its commissioning in 1996, utilizing the natural gas fuel source specified in the original project scope. The collaboration between EverPower and ABB established the foundational infrastructure for this energy asset in the Taoyuan region.
Why it matters
The Hai-Fu Power Plant represents a significant node in Taiwan's natural gas infrastructure, serving as a critical operational asset for EverPower IPP Co. Ltd. With an installed capacity of 980 MW, the facility contributes substantially to the island's electricity supply, leveraging the efficiency of combined cycle technology. The plant's strategic location in Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, places it in close proximity to major economic and logistical hubs, situated 5 km (3 mi) north east of Taoyuan International Airport. This geographic positioning facilitates efficient fuel delivery and grid integration, enhancing its reliability as a power source for the northern region of Taiwan.
As a combined cycle station running on natural gas, Hai-Fu exemplifies the shift towards cleaner fossil fuel generation in Taiwan's energy mix. The installation of two KA24-2 turbines, a turnkey project awarded to ABB in 1996, highlights the plant's reliance on advanced gas turbine technology to maximize thermal efficiency. Natural gas-fired plants like Hai-Fu play a vital role in balancing the grid, offering flexibility to complement variable renewable sources and providing baseload power with lower carbon emissions compared to traditional coal-fired stations. This operational characteristic is increasingly important for Taiwan's energy security and environmental goals.
For EverPower IPP Co. Ltd., headquartered in Taichung, the Hai-Fu Power Plant is a cornerstone of its portfolio. Commissioned in 1996, the plant has maintained operational status, demonstrating long-term reliability and consistent output. The investment in Hai-Fu underscores EverPower's strategic focus on natural gas infrastructure, positioning the company as a key independent power producer in the Taiwanese market. The plant's sustained operation over decades reflects the enduring value of its technology and location, contributing to EverPower's financial stability and market presence.
The significance of Hai-Fu extends beyond its immediate output, influencing regional energy dynamics. Its capacity of 980 MW provides a substantial buffer for the Taoyuan area, supporting industrial and residential demand. The plant's integration into the broader grid enhances energy resilience, particularly in a region with high economic activity. As Taiwan continues to diversify its energy sources, facilities like Hai-Fu remain essential for maintaining grid stability and ensuring a steady supply of electricity. The plant's role as a natural gas-powered asset aligns with national efforts to reduce dependency on imported coal and nuclear power, offering a flexible and relatively clean energy solution.
In the context of Taiwan's electricity sector, the Hai-Fu Power Plant stands as a testament to the strategic importance of natural gas infrastructure. Its continued operation and technological relevance highlight the enduring value of combined cycle plants in a transitioning energy landscape. Ltd., Hai-Fu remains a vital asset, contributing to the company's operational success and reinforcing its position in the competitive power generation market. The plant's location, capacity, and fuel source collectively underscore its significance in supporting Taiwan's energy security and economic growth.
What distinguishes the KA24-2 turbine technology?
The Hai-Fu Power Plant utilizes two KA24-2 gas turbines, a specific model within the ABB (now GE Vernova) KA24 series of heavy-duty industrial gas turbines. The grounding information confirms that the turnkey project for this combined cycle power station was awarded to ABB in 1996, establishing the technological lineage of the plant’s prime movers. The KA24-2 designation refers to a specific iteration of the KA24 frame, which is characterized by its axial-flow compressor, single-shaft configuration, and high-pressure ratio design, making it a staple in mid-to-large scale combined cycle applications globally.
Combined Cycle Configuration
At Hai-Fu, these turbines operate within a combined cycle configuration, a thermodynamic arrangement that significantly enhances overall thermal efficiency compared to simple cycle operation. In this setup, the KA24-2 turbines drive generators directly or through gearboxes, while the exhaust heat from the turbines is captured by heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). This waste heat produces steam, which then drives a steam turbine generator. The grounding data specifies that the total installed capacity of the Hai-Fu station is 980 MW. This aggregate capacity reflects the combined output of the gas turbines and the associated steam turbine(s) driven by the exhaust heat of the two KA24-2 units. The natural gas fuel source, explicitly identified in the grounding data, is combusted within the KA24-2 combustion chambers to produce the high-temperature, high-pressure gas stream necessary for power generation.
Technological Characteristics
The KA24 series, including the KA24-2 variant, is known for its robustness and relatively high efficiency for its era of introduction. The 1996 commissioning date places the Hai-Fu plant among the early adopters of this technology in the Taiwan region. The KA24-2 turbine’s design allows for flexible operation, capable of handling variations in natural gas quality and load demands, which is critical for a plant located in the Luzhu District of Taoyuan City, a key industrial and logistical hub near the Taoyuan International Airport. The choice of the KA24-2 reflects a strategic decision by the operator, EverPower IPP Co. Ltd., to leverage proven ABB technology for a reliable baseload or intermediate load power source. The specific efficiency characteristics of the KA24-2 are inherent to its aerodynamic design and metallurgical composition, which were state-of-the-art for the mid-1990s, allowing for a high heat rate and thus a favorable conversion of natural gas energy into electrical output within the combined cycle loop.