XN000022-1989-05-03 — Page 6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989

REPORT ON UPGRADING ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE

TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER

IS

THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMS) CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON FIVE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS DESIGNED ΤΟ DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF UPGRADING THE ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE IN HONG KONG TO 220 VOLTS AND REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON C.K. POON, MR JACOBS SAID THAT A CONSULTANT'S TECHNICAL REPORT ON UPGRADING HONG KONG'S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY VOLTAGE WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL LAST YEAR.

TO BE

"WHILST THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT INCREASING THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE FROM 200 VOLTS TO 220 VOLTS WAS LIKELY

IN BENEFICIAL THE LONGER TERM, IT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE COULD BE SOME ADVERISE IMPACT IN THE SHORTER TERM IN RESPECT OF EQUIPMENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO OPERATE ON HONG KONG'S EXISTING 200 VOLTS SUPPLY SYSTEM, " HE SAID.

MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT SINCE ANY CHANGE IN VOLTAGE WOULD ULTIMATELY AFFECT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT ALL POTENTIAL AREAS OF DOUBT WERE THOROUGHLY ASSESSED AND THAT ALL INTERESTED PARTIES WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE CONSULTANT'S FINDINGS.

"THUS, FOLLOWING THE REPORT WE CONSULTED A NUMBER OF OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS .

"THE OUTCOME REVEALED GENERAL SUPPORT FOR A CAREFULLY PLANNED AND PROGRESSIVE UPGRADING OF THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE, BUT SOME ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, REMAINED CONCERNED OVER CERTAIN SAFETY ASPECTS, COST IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSUMERS, POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON EQUIPMENT

SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR USE WITH ELECTRICITY SUPPLIED AT 200 VOLTS, HE ADDED.

"IN GENERAL, WE BELIEVE THAT THE NET EFFECT OF THE UPGRADING OF THE ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. HOWEVER, IT REMAINS NECESSARY TO STUDY AND ASSESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS AND DOUBTS EXPRESSED DURING CONSULTATION," HE SAID.

MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THE EMS STUDY WOULD ADDRESS ALL THE ISSUES ON WHICH DOUBTS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED.

"I HOPE TO BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A FIRM RECOMMENDATION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE ADDED.

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