January 21, 2026-Grid construction is closely tied to a stable power supply and regional development. In recent years, Taipower has continuously promoted initiatives to connect the island-wide grid, which will increase the resilience of the power supply through mutual interregional support. However, the eastern region faces constraints due to geographical conditions, making construction difficult. Today, Taipower announced that it is actively discussing a collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) that will incorporate grid construction into the Suhua Highway Safety Enhancement Project (Suhua Safety Project). This joint construction project will complete the island-wide grid and increase grid resilience in the eastern region.

A Taipower representative explained that the Hualien region’s electricity is currently supplied primarily via the New East-West Line, a high voltage transmission line that traverses the Central Mountain Range. The key to the smooth completion and stable operation of this project lay in close cooperation between Taipower and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), Ministry of Agriculture. 

The New East-West Line passes through rugged mountainous terrain. Construction and maintenance work depend heavily on the Danda Forest Road and other established access roads. However, the Danda Forest Road is frequently damaged by landslides and other natural disasters. The Sunhai Bridge at its entrance was also previously damaged by a typhoon. These factors have seriously impacted Taipower personnel's ability to enter the mountain range to conduct grid maintenance. However, through collaboration with FANCA, both agencies have jointly invested in road repairs and maintenance, successfully integrating road and grid maintenance, and demonstrating the concrete results of cross-ministerial collaboration. 

The New East-West Line not only allows energy to circulate between the east and west sides of the island but also enhances the eastern grid's resilience to extreme weather conditions. Taipower has actively promoted initiatives to connect the island-wide grid; however, the area south of Heping, Hualien is currently constrained by geographical and environmental conditions. Ultimately, linkage of a 48-kilometer section remains incomplete. Taipower previously planned a Hegong-Fenglin transmission line project, but because the line would pass through Taroko National Park, and also due to the precipitous local topography, it has been difficult to find a suitable sites for transmission tower construction.

As it happens, the MOTC is currently working on the Suhua Safety Project. If both agencies can collaborate to jointly complete the undergrounding of cables and tunnel construction, it should resolve the current dilemma. Not only will this effectively utilize national land resources; after completion, it will enhance the stability of the power supply, reducing the risk of major outages in the Hualien region. To this end, Taipower expressed its gratitude to Executive Yuan Minister without Portfolio Chen Chin-de for convening cross-ministerial discussion meetings. Through these meetings, Taipower hopes to achieve joint cooperation, facilitate the integration of Suhua Safety Project construction into grid planning, and take the last steps to complete the island-wide grid, elevating the resilience of the Hualien-Taitung power grid.

Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Department of Transmission Line and Substation Construction Director Chang Wen-Chi
Phone: (02) 2322-9700; 0966-533-638
E-mail: u785105@taipower.com.tw