Wind turbines in Penghu County. (CNA file photo)

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) Taiwani Power Co. (Taipower) is planning to invest NT400 billion (US$12.37 billion) in the development of renewable energy over the next 15 years, spending more than 80 percent of that amount on wind power.

Green energy is one of the five key industries in President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) economic policy, the state-owned company said, adding that it plans to focus on wind and solar energy.

Offshore wind farms will be a major part of the 15-year plan, including the 300 wind turbines to be built off the coast of Fangyuan Township, Changhu County, according to the company.

Taipower currently owns 169 wind turbines in the country, while private operators own a total 157, which all have a combined installed capacity of 644,560 kilowatts.

In comparison, the total installed capacity of Taiwan's power plants, including those owned by private companies, was 41,126,000 kilowatts as of April, according to the company's website.

Meanwhile, Taipower said it will need to recruit specialists for maintenance of the 45 to 68-meter-tall turbines that will be part of the NT$400 billion project.

This year, Taipower for the first time added five maritime engineer posts to its annual recruitment list, for its offshore wind farm that is expected to be completed in 2030.

(By Lin Meng-ju and Kay Liu)
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