(CNA file photo)

Taipei, July 25 (CNA) Taiwan broke its electricity consumption record at 1:41 p.m. on Tuesday, at 36.21 million kilowatts, due to continued high temperatures, including a high of 36 degrees Celsius in Taipei.

Electricity capacity reserves fell to 3.93 percent, with July causing an orange warning light to flash 16 times, according to Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) statistics.

Taipower's electricity consumption warning system shows a green light when operating reserve margins are above 10 percent. An orange light indicates that the power reserve is below 6 percent, and a red alert means that it has dropped below 900,000 kW. A black alert means that reserves have fallen to less than 500,000 kW, making power rationing necessary.

Power generation of the second reactor of the No.3 nuclear power plant was shut down on Sunday due to a cooling system error and was not restored until Tuesday morning, producing 600,000 kW. It is expected to begin producing electricity at full capacity on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the new generator at Talin thermal power plant in Kaohsiung started a testing phase on Monday, producing 160,000 kW.

According to Taipower statistics, seven out of the top 10 largest electricity consumption figures have occurred in this month. 

(By Chen Zheng-wei and CNA intern William Yen)
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