PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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(between Hok Yuen and Kwun Tong) was energized. Future transmission will be effected largely at 132 kV. At 30th September 1966 the main network comprised 407.7 miles at 33 kV or higher and 594.5 miles at 11-6.6 kV. The company's new depot at Sham Shui Po was opened on 28th March 1966. This compound now accommodates the meter section, test facilities, electrical work- shops, vehicle repair shops and garages.
The electricity supply in Kowloon and the New Territories is 50 cycle alternating current, normally 200 volts single-phase or 346 volts three-phase. For bulk consumers, supply is available at 11 kV and, for the time being, at 6.6 kV. At 30th September 1966 there were 388,358 consumers, 12.4 per cent more than a year previously. During the 12 months ended 30th September, 2,116 million kWh were generated, an increase of 15.3 per cent; 1,829.3 million kWh were sold, comprising 326.5 million kWh lighting, 9.2 million kWh public lighting, 719.2 million kWh ordinary power and 774.4 million kWh bulk supply. The following interim scale of basic rates per kWh was in force at the end of 1966: Lighting, 29 cents less a rebate of 1 cent; ordinary power, 13.6 cents; domestic cooking, 11.5 cents. Special rates apply to industrial bulk supply.
The Cheung Chau Electric Company Limited supplies electricity to the island of Cheung Chau, which contains some small industries and a population of fisherfolk who originally founded the company as a community project in 1913. Now operated by commercial interests, the company has supplied electricity for the past 20 years on a 50-cycle, three-phase, four-wire system of 200/346 volts for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. With the demand steadily increasing, the company has built a new plant with up-to- date equipment to meet future requirements. The generating power of this new plant, which was planned to become operational at the end of 1966, more than doubles the previous capacity.
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited supplies gas to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Town gas is available throughout the urban areas of the island and Kowloon and also in the industrial towns of Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan. To meet the growing demand the company is constantly engaged in enlarging its distribution network. One such project now in progress is the extension of supply to the Deep Water Bay district