To meet the demand of the ever-increasing
peak load in Taiwan and to fully utilize off-peak power, the
Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) had entrusted European consultants to undertake feasibility study since 1973. The study showed the feasibility of constructing Mingtan Dam to meet such peak load demand, to avoid expanding current
fossil-fuel power plants in Taiwan and to have lower operational cost. The dam was completed in 1994 and opened a year later. During the 7.7-magnitude
1999 Jiji earthquake, Mingtan was one of eight dams that sustained damage, but did not collapse. ==Transportation==