The number of nationwide accidental power outages has been decreasing every year. Taipower stated that, due to its promotion of the Distribution System Resilience Plan in recent years, the number of accidental power outages in power distribution has decreased from 21,019 cases in 2012 to 6,115 cases in 2023, marking a 70% reduction over the past decade. Moreover, compared to the 8,140 cases in 2022, the year over year decrease was nearly 25%, representing the most significant improvement in a decade. Taipower will continue to promote its Distribution System Resilience Plan and Feeder Automation System, striving to achieve “less downtime and faster restoration”, thereby minimizing the impact of power outages on the public.

Taipower pointed out that since 2018, it has been promoting the Distribution System Resilience Plan, which aims to gradually improve resilience through projects focusing on four major aspects: distribution line upgrades, secondary substation equipment replacement, feeder automation expansion, and smart substation construction. Additionally, to create a more stable and higher-quality power usage environment, Taipower has been continuously implementing the Five-Year Distribution System Upgrade Plan since 2023. By strengthening the resilience of distribution lines, replacing secondary substation equipment, and undergrounding transmission lines for disaster prevention, it aims to further reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Taipower also pointed out that the distribution network has a complex structure, with over 10,000 feeders across Taiwan and a total length of approximately 410,000 kilometers. A total of 1.55 million switches, 1.48 million transformers, and 3.2 million electric poles have been installed along these lines. Therefore, when equipment in a location encounters a natural disaster or external force, or if the equipment malfunctions, it can lead to feeder tripping and cause regional power outages. Based on annual analyses of the reasons for accidental power outages, it was determined that more than half were caused by external forces and environmental factors, such as accidental contact with animals, trees, lightning strikes, salt corrosion, construction-related damages, vehicle collisions, and user equipment failures.

Taipower explained that abnormalities in the power system due to natural disasters, external contacts, equipment malfunctions, and other factors are unavoidable in the electric power industry, and cannot be completely prevented. To reduce the impact of power outages, apart from continuously strengthening equipment inspections and maintenance, Taipower is also promoting comprehensive feeder automation to accelerate the power restoration time. Through the installation of automatic line switches, monitoring equipment, and dispatch systems, when an unexpected event occurs, fault areas can be detected and isolated quickly, allowing the power of the normal lines to be restored first, and reducing overall downtime, thus providing electricity to the public as quickly as possible.

Taipower stated that in addition to occasional power outages, it is also actively working to prevent the impacts of natural disasters. Specifically, from 2019 to 2022, Taiwan experienced no typhoon landings for 3 consecutive years. However, there were four consecutive typhoons in 2023, which caused power outage disasters in various regions of Taiwan. In regions that are prone to typhoon-related disasters, Taipower is actively promoting the undergrounding of electric pole lines for disaster prevention purposes.  For example, after completing the undergrounding of electric pole lines along Ping-E Highway in early 2023, although the road experienced strong winds from Typhoon Koinu that year, residents along this route were not affected by power outages. This measure also significantly reduced outage accidents on the route caused by trees or external objects touching the distribution equipment. Moreover, due to the phenomenon of strong winds without rain caused by Typhoon Koinu in 2023, central and southern Taiwan experienced salt dust pollution in coastal areas, leading to disruptions in normal power transmission. Taipower immediately initiated cross-regional support and received assistance from local governments to jointly clean the equipment on poles. Eventually, it managed to complete emergency repairs, successfully restoring the power supply. In the future, continuous improvements to the line equipment will be carried out.

Taipower emphasized that aside from upgrading the system equipment, the key to improving power supply quality lies in the dedication and efforts of Taipower employees. Whether it’s routine maintenance work during ordinary times, or round-the-clock emergency repairs during typhoon periods, regardless of the cause of the outage, Taipower employees always arrive at the scene promptly to actively inspect the equipment and restore power as quickly as possible. Taipower hopes the public will recognize and appreciate the efforts and improvements made by its employees.

• Whether it’s routine maintenance work during ordinary times, or round-the-clock emergency repairs during typhoon periods, regardless of the cause of the outage, Taipower employees always arrive at the scene promptly to actively inspect the equipment and restore power as quickly as possible.

Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai

Contact Number: (02)2366-6271/0958-749-333

E-mail: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact person: Director of Power Distribution Office, Ming-Hong Huang

Contact Number: (02)2366-8669/0928-711-437

E-mail: u910707@taipower.com.tw