248
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
for irrigation purposes were completed. Two dams, each approximately 75 feet high and impounding between them 50,000,000 gallons of water, were constructed, part of the cost being met from Colonial Development and Welfare funds. A Malayan firm experienced in deep-well drilling was commissioned to undertake a test programme of seven wells. By the end of the year four wells had been completed, with one at a depth of 187 feet yielding a satisfactory supply; further wells are being sunk.
Electricity. Electricity on the Island is supplied by The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd., distributing an alternating current at 22 kilovolts and 6.6 kilovolts, 3 phase, 50 cycles. Bulk consumers are supplied at 6.6 kilovolts and domestic consumers at 346/200 volts. The amount of electricity generated during 1957 was 349,435,900 kilowatt hours, an increase of 13.3% over the previous year's figure.
The number of consumers at the end of the year was 77,061, an increase of 2,719 over the 1956 figure.
Total sales (in units) were as follows:
Lighting
Public Lighting
Bulk Power
Domestic and Commercial Power
11
!
88,688,517
2,341,287
60,316,102
150,453,636
301,799,542
This is an increase of 14.6% on the previous year.
During the year the peak-load reached a maximum of 72,500 kilowatts, an increase of 12.1% over 1956. The steam raising capacity is 1,100,000 lbs./hr. The generator capacity remains at 92,500 kilowatts.
As a result of the ever-increasing use of air-conditioning together with the construction of multi-storied buildings, it was necessary to increase the supply to the central areas of Victoria by laying four 22 kilovolts Feeders. Two 22 kilovolts Feeders were also laid to the site of the proposed major substation near Taikoo Dockyard.