ENG-1957 — Page 291

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS

249

Twenty new local substations were established and many extensions were carried out on the existing 6.6 kilovolts and Low Voltage Systems.

Development also continued at a high rate in the North Point area; the load on the south side of the Island, however, showed little change.

Charges for current range from 28 cents a unit to 15.4 cents a unit for lighting, and 12 cents a unit to 11.4 cents a unit for power. Special rates are quoted for bulk consumers of industrial power. All rates are subject to a fuel surcharge due to the fluctuating cost of fuel. The rate of 9% in opera- tion at the beginning of the year was increased to 18% on 1st March and reduced to 15% on 1st August.

In Kowloon electricity is supplied by China_Light_and Power Co., Ltd., whose services extend to the principal market towns in the New Territories and to such villages as are situated within reasonable distance of main roads. During the year overhead lines were considerably extended on the islands of Tsing Yi and Lantao, supply being made available on Lantao as from December. The load continues. to grow steadily each year, and during 1957 there were more demands than ever from both industrial and domestic con- sumers. The increase in demand continues to be principally caused by new urban and industrial development, and the demolition of old buildings and their replacement by larger modern structures. 388 factories were connected to the Company's mains.

This expansion has required the construction of a new power station, the building and equipping of which is being carried out in stages. One turbine and one boiler were com- missioned during the year and work has begun on the erec- tion of the next boiler and turbine. Two further turbines and one boiler are scheduled for commissioning within the next 18 months.

The present capacity of the station is 97,500 kilowatts.