LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Hong Kong has about two million gas customers. In 2001, Towngas accounted for about 67.5 per cent of the total fuel gas sold in energy terms, and LPG for about 32.5
per cent.
Towngas is manufactured at plants in Tai Po and Ma Tau Kok, both using naphtha as feedstock. They have output capacities of 8.4 and 2.2 million cubic metres per day respectively. The gas is supplied through an integrated distribution system to about 1.41 million customers. The mains network extends throughout Hong Kong via a 123-kilometre high-pressure pipeline and some 2 871 kilometres of distribution mains. LPG is imported into Hong Kong by sea and stored at five terminals on Tsing Yi Island before being distributed to approximately 770 000 customers and LPG filling stations. In 2001, about 34 per cent of total sales was supplied in cylinders by some 306 appointed gas distributors (operating 631 cylinder wagons), about 23 per cent was distributed to bulk storage installations providing piped LPG supplies to residential and commercial developments, and the remaining 43 per cent to filling stations as fuel for more than 14 000 LPG taxis. Cylinder LPG is now used in less. than 26 per cent of domestic dwellings.
Natural gas is currently used for power generation at the Black Point and Castle Peak power stations. It is imported from the Yacheng 13-1 gas field off Hainan Island in southern China via a 780-kilometre high-pressure submarine pipeline. The Government has expressed its support for the use of natural gas for power generation and possibly for domestic purposes.
The Gas Safety Ordinance regulates the importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of fuel gas. All gas supply companies, gas installers and contractors must be registered with the Gas Authority (the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services) in order to carry out their operations. At end-August, there were seven registered gas supply companies, 2 619 registered gas installers and 385 registered gas contractors.
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