Penghu and Kinmen to receive water boost in Taiwan

Taiwan plans to build additional desalination plants in Penghu and Kinmen counties, a move expected to significantly increase freshwater supplies for the outlying areas, according to the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The Penghu facility, which is to be situated in the county capital of Magong City, will be funded by the Water Resources Agency to the tune of NT$800 million (US$27.5 million).

Currently under environmental evaluation, the plant will be capable of processing 4,000 metric tons of water per day and is expected to come on line by the end of 2017 after a three-year construction period.

At present, Penghu possesses two desalination plants capable of producing 5,500 metric tons and 7,000 metric tons per day. It is forecast that by 2018, the county’s daily freshwater production total, comprising desalination plants, well water and reservoirs, will hit 37,800 metric tons, up 10.5 percent from 2012.

“We expect this output to also be sufficient in meeting projected freshwater demands of 33,900 metric tons by 2021,” a WRA official said.

The agency also plans to expand a 2,000-ton desalination plant in addition to renovating a 2,000-ton facility on Kinmen. The undertaking is budgeted at NT$400 million and is to be tendered out in 2014, the official said.