Gas leak and fire at Xingda power plant during hot fuel testing
Sept 2025Published 7 Oct 2026Responsible editor: George, Chief Editor
What happened
On the evening of 9 September 2025, a natural gas leak and fire occurred at the Xingda power plant in Kaohsiung during the first hot fuel trial run of new gas-fired unit 2, which was still under construction. Taipower reported that a flange gasket on the natural gas heater downstream piping of gas turbine 2-2 was not of the correct specification and failed at nearly 300 degrees, releasing gas that ignited.
Flames were reported to be visible for several kilometres. Piping, auxiliary equipment and parts of nearby buildings were damaged. No casualties were reported. Prosecutors later alleged that a temporary gasket may not have been replaced with the specified gasket before the equipment was brought into use. The case remained under investigation.
Contributing factors
Taipower's investigation found that the flange was fitted with a gasket that was not of the correct specification, and that it failed in the heat of the first hot fuel test. Prosecutors have alleged that piping staff did not follow the construction process for replacing a temporary gasket before use. Construction and supervision responsibility had not been finally determined.
Lessons learned
- Temporary gaskets on fuel-gas pipework should be replaced with the specified gasket before any hot fuel test.
- Commissioning checks should confirm flange sealing materials against the design specification before fuel is introduced.
- Critical gas systems should be inspected independently before the first introduction of fuel.
More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, design, standards and commissioning, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-10-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.