Taiwan Commences Drilling First Deep Geothermal Well

Bayo Akinloye in Taipei, Taiwan

A ceremony marking the drilling of Taiwan’s first deep geothermal well was held on October 21 in the northeastern county of Yilan, underscoring the government’s commitment to achieving a net-zero transition by 2050.

Academia Sinica President James C. Liao and Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei hosted the launch, with Yilan County Magistrate Lin Zi-miao, Lee Shun-chin, chair of CPC Corporation, Taiwan, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and National Science and Technology Council present to witness the historic moment.

Academia Sinica and CPC will collaborate in digging a 4000-meter-deep well in Yuanshan Township to gain insight into the characteristics and distribution of local geothermal resources, the MOEA said, adding that their findings will provide a basis for future development.

According to Liao, a team of domestic geology experts and drilling engineers surveyed potential geothermal sites over the last two years, utilizing magnetotellurics, seismic reflection and seismic imaging to create a 3D model of underground heat sources.
Kuo noted that the project demonstrates the technical prowess of Academia Sinica and CPC and the government’s commitment to energy transition.

Kuo hoped the well’s successful completion would inspire further academia-industry collaboration to advance sustainability.
A memorandum of understanding was inked by Academia Sinica and CPC in 2022, with Lanyang Plain targeted as the first area for investigation, the MOEA said.
After conducting two surveys in 2022 and 2023, it added that Yuanshan was selected as the best location for the geothermal project.