Bilingual text here: https://english.ftvnews.com.tw/news/2026529W06EA?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description
雙語文字版: https://english.ftvnews.com.tw/news/2026529W06EA?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description

Our official website: ➔ https://english.ftvnews.com.tw/

Follow us on
Facebook: ➔ https://www.facebook.com/ftvformosanews
X (Twitter): ➔ https://x.com/FTV_Taiwan_News
The typhoons that ravage Taiwan in the summer and autumn months often knock out power to homes and businesses in their path. High winds downing power lines and posts are also a concern as extreme weather becomes more common, even while power demand surges. Burying power lines is therefore a priority in many cities. FTV recently went 18 stories underground to give you an up-close look at how these teams are safeguarding power supplies for the future.

Jumbles of power lines criss-crossing old alleys like this are often a target of criticism.

To beautify communities and protect the supply of electricity, Taipower in the past few years has been hard at work burying power lines. FTV recently visited to give you an exclusive look at how it’s done.

- You do this every day. You go 10 stories below ground and climb back up. There’s no elevator.
- There’s no elevator.

Descending the staircase to a depth of 55 meters—equivalent to at least 18 stories—leads to the construction site. A cleanroom sealed with transparent PVC film minimizes intrusion by impurities that could compromise conductivity.

Lin Kuan-wen
Taipower contractor
When dust gets in, it first affects conductivity. When the voltage is this high, the particles may heat up as they pass through and in the most extreme cases could ignite.

They’re not only working underground, but also below the Keelung River, facing the constant threats of fire, water leaks, and toxic gas buildup. Air quality must be monitored around the clock to keep everyone safe.

Lin Kuan-wen
Taipower contractor
This one is a carbon dioxide meter. It measures concentrations of CO2 in the area. This one’s called a four-in-one gas monitor. It displays measurements for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen concentrations, and combustible gas levels. An alarm will sound when it detects an abnormal reading.

Tsai Chih-meng
Taipower vice president
The work is done underground, so usually there’s a low accident rate.

Currently, nearly half of power lines in the country have been buried underground. In the outlying Penghu County where wind fortifications are essential, more than 90% have been buried. However, getting that figure up to 100% will require careful work to achieve the dual aims of disaster mitigation and aesthetic improvement.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Taipower #powercables #powerlines #electricity #powersupply #underground #utilities #exclusive

#台灣新聞 #TaiwanNews #民視新聞 #FTV新聞 #Taiwan