Residents Protest Energy Storage Plant in Fengyuan; Energy Administration Demands Corrections

CNA reporter Xie Yixuan, Taipei, May 25. The Fengyuan Anti-Energy Storage Self-Help Group, opposing the construction of a large energy storage plant in Wengshe Village, Fengyuan District, Taichung City, petitioned the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Energy Administration today, demanding protection of residents' rights. The Energy Administration stated that the developer's application is incomplete and has demanded corrections, warning that failure to comply will result in rejection.

Shengri Energy, a subsidiary of Fortune Electric, plans to build an energy storage plant in Wengshe Village, triggering local protests. Today, the self-help group held a press conference in front of the Energy Administration in Taipei and submitted a petition, demanding that the administration protect the rights of the residents.

The self-help group issued a press release outlining two main demands: that the opinions of Wengshe Village residents be the primary standard for determining whether the manufacturer has achieved effective communication, and that the manufacturer be required to restore the site to its original state in accordance with Article 15-5 of the Electricity Act and the Electricity Registration Rules, or face penalties.

Self-help group chairman Zhang Wenzhong expressed gratitude to the Energy Administration for ordering Shengri Energy to comply with new Electricity Act regulations late last year, requiring them to apply for approval before construction and ordering them to stop work to strengthen local communication. He said they came to the Energy Administration today to submit the petition, hoping that the administration and other authorities would hear the residents' voices.

In response, the Energy Administration stated that developers should handle applications for specific electricity supply businesses in accordance with relevant Electricity Act regulations and reminded the developer to strengthen communication with residents and stakeholders.

The Energy Administration stated that it reviews installation cases in accordance with the law. Although the developer has submitted an application, the requirements are incomplete, and they have been asked to make corrections. If they fail to do so within the deadline, the application will be rejected.

Fortune Electric stated in a press release that to ensure the process meets the highest standards of compliance, they have voluntarily suspended construction and are fully cooperating with the requirements of central and local authorities. They also emphasized that the site is legally classified as a "Type A Industrial Zone" and is a legal site for energy facilities under current regulations.