Taiwan Water Advances Digital Transformation, Making Zengwen Water Treatment Plant a Low-Carbon Demonstration Site

TAIPEI (CNA) — In response to climate change and rising operational costs, Taiwan Water Corporation (Taiwan Water) has actively promoted digitalization and net-zero transformation in recent years. The Zengwen Water Treatment Plant has been established as a low-carbon demonstration site, with a comprehensive integration of smart systems expected to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions, marking a new chapter in sustainable development.

Regarding water pricing, Taiwan Water CEO Li Ding-Lai stated that a review report was submitted to the Water Resources Agency last year, and a Water Price Review Committee may be convened in the future for further discussion.

According to Taiwan Water’s statistics, as of 2025, there are approximately 490 water treatment plants across Taiwan. Today, Taiwan Water held a press conference to present the achievements in green energy utilization and carbon reduction at its treatment facilities.

Vice President Wang Chuan-Zheng noted that Taiwan Water has recently faced challenges including extreme weather causing uneven water distribution (droughts and floods), pressure to achieve net-zero emissions, and rising operational costs. To overcome these challenges, the company has focused its digital transformation efforts on three core smart technologies: 'precision chemical dosing,' 'energy monitoring and management,' and 'predictive equipment maintenance.'

Pilot projects have already demonstrated significant results. The Yilan Qingzhou Plant, drawing on advanced Japanese expertise, successfully implemented a precision dosing system, saving over 15% in chemical usage annually. The Hsinchu Second Water Treatment Plant installed an energy monitoring system and variable frequency drives, reducing pump energy consumption by 9.6% and saving NT$1.13 million in electricity costs annually.

Wang explained that the Zengwen Water Treatment Plant was selected as a model site due to its critical role in supplying water to the Southern Science Park and its status as a model for low-carbon operations. The full integration of smart systems is expected to reduce electricity consumption by 15%, cut carbon emissions by 10% to 12%, and reduce chemical dosing by approximately 15%.

To achieve its 2050 net-zero emissions target, Taiwan Water is accelerating its green energy deployment. Wang stated that the company has already installed 134 solar power systems across Taiwan, achieving an annual carbon reduction of 41,000 metric tons. An additional 230 installations are planned between 2026 and 2028, bringing the total annual carbon reduction to 76,000 metric tons.

Regarding small hydropower, three facilities have already been completed—at Lijia Water Treatment Plant in Taitung, Shalu Water Distribution Center in Taichung, and Hushan Water Treatment Plant in Yunlin. Three more are expected to be completed by the end of this year, with two additional installations next year, resulting in an estimated total carbon reduction of 12,000 metric tons.

Going forward, Taiwan Water will follow a 'pilot, evaluate, expand' strategy to extend its smart integration platform to other major treatment plants, including Baoshan in the north, Lishan in central Taiwan, and Hushan in the south, using technology to address both operational and environmental challenges.

When asked about rising water supply costs in recent years, CEO Li Ding-Lai reiterated that the review report was submitted last year and that a Water Price Review Committee may be convened for further discussion.

Li added that green energy applications have already contributed to increased revenue. As of 2025, 134 sites have solar power systems installed, generating nearly NT$1 billion in feed-in tariff revenue annually. The company continues to expand small hydropower capacity and leverage feed-in tariff mechanisms to boost corporate income. (Edited by Yang Lan-Hsuan) June 17, 2025