The Statement of Procurement for Hoping Power Plant in 2024, TCC Group Holdings (TCC)

On June 21, the Environmental Rights Protection Foundation (hereinafter ERF), the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (hereinafter CREA), and Ecodefense visited the headquarter of TCC Group Holdings (TCC) to address concerns about Hoping Power Plant's use of Russian coal. TCC Group Holdings (TCC), ERF, CREA, and Ecodefense have had a solid discussion in the meeting, which has not only given us a deeper understanding but also made us put more emphasis on the issue.

Regarding Hoping Power Plant's use of Russian coal, the statement is as follow:

Hoping Power Plant has no new procurement contracts for Russian coal. Additionally, after the severe damage to Hoping Port from the Hualien earthquake in April, the unloading equipment has recently been repaired, allowing large long-distance vessels to resume smooth operations. Therefore, after fulfilling the existing contracts until August (with the vessels expected to arrive in October), Hoping Power Plant will no longer purchase Russian coal in the future.

Aside from the Linkou Power Plant, which uses ultra-supercritical coal-fired power generating units, the annual average ash content standard for other coal-fired power plants in Western Taiwan is 20%. Hoping Power Plant is required to adhere to the strictest environmental impact assessment (EIA) standards among Taiwan's coal-fired power plants: an annual average ash content of no more than 12% and a sulfur content of no more than 1%. To meet the EIA requirements for low ash and low sulfur content, Hoping Power Plant has used a mix of Australian coal, Indonesian coal, and Russian coal formerly in line with uncontrollable variables or conditions, such as seasonal changes or shipping schedules. Among these, Russian coal has moderate ash content, low sulfur content, and is the closest to Taiwan, with a transportation distance of 6 days.

While announcing that it will no longer purchase Russian coal, Hoping Power Plant will also continue to apply to Taiwan Ministry of Environment for adjusting the annual average ash limit to be consistent with the standards of other coal-fired power plants in Western Taiwan. This application aims to increase procurement flexibility, respect the residential and environmental rights of surrounding communities, and ensure the goal of stable power supply.

TCC Group Holdings (TCC) is committed to sustainability and dedicated to Taiwan's energy transition. To ensure stable power supply, TCC Group Holdings (TCC) has made significant efforts. In addition to our Hoping Power Plant playing a crucial role in Taiwan’s energy transition phase, TCC Group Holdings (TCC) is currently the only group in Taiwan engaged in the diversified development of green energy, including solar power, wind power, fishery and electricity symbiosis, geothermal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion.