Taiwan to start solar power project in Spratlys

One of the six claimants to the Spratlys is planning to use solar power to provide most of the electricity in one of the largest islands in the contested area. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported Tuesday night Taiwan was to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in Taiping Island for a new solar installation. Expected to attend the ceremony are officials from the Ministry of the Interior, state-owned Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) and the Ministry of National Defense, the CNA report said. It said the expected guests at the ceremony arrived Tuesday at the island aboard a 2,000-ton Coast Guard Administration (CGA) vessel. Presently, Taiping Island still relies mainly on diesel generators for electricity. Aside from Taiwan, other claimants to the Spratlys include China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. The CNA report quoted CGA officials as saying the administration previously built a solar power system in 2001 that can power four households on Taiwan proper. — TJD, GMA News