TNAG-0637-FCO40-785-Supplies-of-electricity-for-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 53

C.S. 166

XCC(77)58

(b)

CONFIDENTIAL #

(iii)

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35

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The huge coal heap, dust and ash (of which the station will produce about 3/4 million tons a year) will be ugly and messy, as will be the constant presence of coal ships and barges to remove the ash. The transmission towers will extend all the way across the Sai Kung Peninsula. Some air pollution from this station is likely to reach the northern New Territories and Sha Tin, although this is not likely to be serious. local marine ecology will almost certainly be affected, because there is little current in the Mirs Bay area; although there is sufficient water for cooling purposes, the speed at which it will cool down on release, and the extent of the ecological effects of the used water, are far from certain. At worst it could drive fish out of the area.

Tai Tsing Chau (North Lantau)

(i)

(ii)

This site is on the northern coast of north east tip of Lantau. It is the site which was considered by the TOA/TAL group for an oil refinery in 1974. It is equally suitable for a power station. There is adequate access for large boats up the channel between Ma Wan and Tsing Yi.

There is good access to deep water. The site is reasonably well placed for smoke dispersal, even if it is eventually decided to put an airport at Chek Lap Kok. The north coast of Lantau has been planned for heavy industry and the establishment of a power station would be consistent with this. The Company recognises the merits of the site, but there are two drawbacks:

(1)

(2)

Transmission to the mainland would have to be by way of an undersea tunnel, which would cost about $100 million. Overhead trans - mission across the channel is impracticable, and the Company considers that placing cable in a bridge would expose supplies to too great a risk.

The Company is not happy about the operation of the station without road access;

the station would have three shifts

of staff, each of 200, and would

need to provide living quarters nearby, so that they could be called out in any emergency. This would require quarters near the power station and arrangements would have to be

CONFIDENTIAL

機密