- High-ranking officials gather to commemorate a significant milestone in Hsinchu’s water security initiative
HSINCHU, Taiwan — ECNETNews reports that a groundbreaking ceremony took place in Hsinchu, marking the commencement of construction for Taiwan’s first large-scale municipal reverse osmosis desalination plant. The event drew over 200 attendees, including the prime minister, the minister of economic affairs, and the mayor of Hsinchu, and symbolizes a pivotal advancement in securing a reliable water supply for the region’s residents and industries.
Key spokesperson statements highlight commitment to sustainability
“With a legacy of over 60 years designing and operating more than 260 desalination plants globally, we are set to provide advanced seawater desalination solutions that cater to both municipal and industrial needs. This groundbreaking represents not just a construction milestone but also a commitment to institutional trust and shared responsibility,” a spokesperson stated. “Together, we are dedicated to delivering sustainable and resilient water solutions that will support Taiwan’s growth and adaptation to climate challenges.”
A significant public-private partnership bolstering regional resilience
The Hsinchu Desalination Plant represents the inaugural partnership between Taiwan’s Water Resources Agency and a global desalination operator, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in bringing resilient infrastructure to fruition. This partnership enhances the company’s global desalination footprint, which includes operations in Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
This facility is a flagship project under the government’s “Enhancement of Water Production by Technology” strategy, demonstrating effective collaboration between engineering teams and authorities. The project is set to adhere to a strict construction timeline of 32 months, followed by a 12-month performance evaluation to guarantee operational reliability prior to entering a 15-year Operations & Maintenance phase. This detailed timeline emphasizes the commitment from all involved parties to deliver timely and sustainable outcomes.
Transforming water security with innovative desalination technology
Hsinchu’s water supply has historically depended on rainfall-fed reservoirs, a method increasingly challenged by climate change and variable weather patterns. The new seawater desalination plant leverages advanced reverse osmosis technology as part of Taiwan’s broader strategy to enhance regional water resilience, particularly vital for supporting the semiconductor and high-tech sectors in the Hsinchu Science Park.
Designed to generate 100,000 cubic meters of potable water daily, the facility aims to cater to approximately 1.6 million residents and local industries. With a total investment of NT$17.7 billion (approximately €508 million), the project includes numerous sustainability initiatives such as energy-efficient systems, a compact design, solar power integration, and an innovative offshore pipeline system to reduce material usage and lessen environmental impact.
With extensive desalination expertise, the organization is contributing to this project, backed by successful reference plants worldwide, including flagship facilities in Australia and Bahrain, and recent projects for major industry leaders. The company continues to broaden its global reach with ambitious undertakings, such as the second largest reverse osmosis plant in Jordan, aimed at serving over 3 million people, and the largest seawater desalination facility in Iloilo City, Philippines, showcasing capacity to address global water scarcity through cutting-edge desalination solutions.
