Baseload Power Taiwan has now opened its local office in the Hongye Tribe, Hualien County, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the cooperation.
This follows a tribal vote
overwhelmingly approving Baseload’s lease of public land for geothermal
exploration and development, making it the first private developer in Taiwan to
secure tribal consent under the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law.
Long-term trust with the local community
Over the past five years, Baseload Power Taiwan has built long-term trust with
the local community, respecting the Hongye Tribe’s right to self-determination.
This
proved key to securing the tribal vote, which represents a groundbreaking
milestone for the nation’s clean energy transition and community-rooted
development.
Tribal leader Lu Shao-Ching said, “The consultation reflects the majority voice
of our people. We appreciate Baseload’s respectful efforts and open
communication, and we trust their continued commitment to shared benefits and
sustainable development, while our community remains vigilant in protecting our
rights.”
Stepwise exploratory drilling and plant
development phase to begin
Geothermal energy offers clean, 24/7 power, while residual heating supports
greenhouse agriculture, crop drying, and hot spring tourism, creating local
jobs and boosting the regional economy.
With the exploration permit secured,
Baseload Power Taiwan is now entering a two-year exploratory drilling phase,
with plant development planned to follow.
The company will maintain transparent
communication, mitigate vibration and noise, ensure regular monitoring, and
prioritise local recruitment.
Van Hoang, Chairman and CEO of Baseload
Power Taiwan stated, “We are grateful for the Hongye Tribe’s support. We remain
committed to the collaboration and look forward to building Hualien’s first
geothermal power plant which delivers shared benefits and integrates cultural
preservation, environmental stewardship, community revitalisation, and clean
energy development.” -OGN/TradeArabia News Service
