Hong Kong 2006
 GO
Chapter 12:
Land, Public Works and Utilities
Introduction
Planning for Hong Kong
Land Supply
Building Safety and
Maintenance
Organisational Framework
The Town Planning
Ordinance
Hong Kong Planning
Standards and Guidelines
Territorial Development Strategy
Sub-regional Development Strategies
District Planning
Enforcement
Urban Renewal
Planning Studies
Urban Development Areas
New Towns
Building Development
Land Administration
Land Acquisition
Land Disposal
Land Management and
Lease Enforcement
Government Conveyancing
Survey and Mapping
Land Registration
Land Registry Business Volume in 2006
Drainage Services
Civil Engineering
Water Supplies
Electricity
Gas
Home Pages
Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese
Table of Contents Constitution and Administration The Legal System The Economy Financial and Monetary Affairs Commerce and Industry Employment Education Health Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries Social Welfare Housing Land, Public Works and Utilities Transport The Environment Travel and Tourism Public Order Communications, the Media and Information Technology Religion and Custom Recreation, Sport and the Arts Population and Immigration History Appendices PRINT
Electricity

The Hongkong Electric Company Limited (HEC) supplies electricity to Hong Kong Island and the neighbouring islands of Ap Lei Chau and Lamma while the CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) supplies Kowloon and the New Territories, including Lantau and several other outlying islands. The electricity supply to consumers is 50Hz alternating current while the voltage is 220 volts single-phase and 380 volts three-phase.

Both power companies are investor-owned. The Government monitors them through mutually agreed Scheme of Control Agreements. The current 15-year agreements with CLP Power and HEC came into effect on October 1, 1993 and January 1, 1994 respectively with interim reviews at five-year intervals. The agreements require the companies to seek the Government's approval for certain aspects of their financial plans, including projected basic tariff levels. The agreements do not give the companies any exclusive rights. They are not franchises, nor do they define a supply area for either company or exclude newcomers to the market.

In 2006, the Government completed the second round of public consultations on the future development of the electricity market after expiry of the current Scheme of Control Agreements in 2008. Taking into account the views of the public received, the Government is now negotiating with the two power companies on new agreements which contain a number of changes to improve the safeguard for consumers' interests. In the longer term, the Government will further open up the electricity market and will make the necessary preparation during the term of the new Scheme of Control Agreements. At year-end, HEC had a total installed capacity of 3 756 megawatts (MW) at its Lamma Power Station. Its first 335MW gas combined-cycle generator at the new Lamma Extension Power Station was commissioned in October.

The Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO) supplies electricity to CLP Power from its power stations at Black Point (2 500MW), Castle Peak (4 108MW) and Penny's Bay (300MW). The eighth 312.5MW gas combined-cycle generator at Black Point was commissioned in May.

CLP Power and HEC own their respective transmission and distribution systems. The two transmission systems are interconnected by a cross-harbour link. This provides emergency back-up and some sharing of generating capacity reserve between the two systems. The link has a current total capacity of 720 megavolt-amperes (MVA).

CLP Power's transmission system is also connected with the electricity network in Guangdong Province which facilitates the export and import of electricity to and from the province. The electricity sold to Guangdong is from CLP Power's existing reserve generating capacity. Its sale is governed by an agreement with the Government under which CLP Power's consumers are given priority of supply and 80 per cent of the profit from the sales. At the same time, CLP Power buys about 70 per cent of the power generated by the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station at Daya Bay, which has two 984 MW pressurised water reactors, to meet part of the longer-term demand for electricity in its supply area.

CLP Power also has the right to use up to 50 per cent of the 1 200MW capacity of Phase 1 of the Guangzhou Pumped Storage Power Station, at Conghua. Off-peak period electricity from the CAPCO system and the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station is stored in the pumped storage power station, which generates hydro-electricity to meet Hong Kong's demand during peak periods.

There are regulations under the Electricity Ordinance governing the registration of electrical contractors and workers and competent persons, safety of electrical wiring, supply of safe household electrical products and protection of electricity supply lines from third party damage.

As at December, some 8 500 electrical contractors and 68 000 electrical workers held valid registration papers and 620 competent persons were approved for laying underground cables.

In 2006, the Government conducted some 12 600 site inspections to check the safety standards of electrical installations and electrical product supply outlets and works sites near electricity supply lines. Prosecution and disciplinary actions were initiated in 555 cases.
2005 I 2004 I 2003 I 2002 I 2001 I 2000 I 1999 I 1998 I 1997