ENG-1984 — Page 243

192

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

took over from the former Cheung Chau Electric Company the supply of electricity to Cheung Chau, thus allowing the islanders to benefit from the electricity tariffs applying elsewhere in the New Territories.

The two supply companies are investor-owned and do not operate under franchise. The government monitors the financial arrangements of the companies through the published Schemes of Control. Under these schemes, the long-term financing plans of the companies and any proposed tariff changes require the approval of the Governor in Council.

Towards the end of the year, international consultants commissioned by the government completed a report giving an independent assessment of the government's arrangements for monitoring the supply companies as well as recommending various means to further enhance the government's monitoring capabilities. The report was due to be submitted to the Executive Council early in 1985.

Generation of electricity in Kowloon and the New Territories is carried out by CLP in conjunction with two associated companies, Peninsula Electric Power Company Limited (PEPCO) and Kowloon Electricity Supply Company Limited (KESCO). The combined capacity of the three companies at the end of 1984 was 3 664 MW. Both PEPCO and KESCO are financed 60 per cent by Esso and 40 per cent by CLP.

PEPCO owns the power stations at Tsing Yi ‘A' (762 MW), Tsing Yi ‘B' (800 MW) and Hok Un 'C' (240 MW). KESCO owns 504 MW of gas turbine capacity and is constructing the Castle Peak ‘A' power station. The first dual coal or oil-fired 350 MW_unit at Castle Peak 'A' was commissioned during 1982 and the second and third in 1983 and 1984, respectively; the remaining 350 MW unit at this station will be commissioned in 1985. Operation of the plants owned by PEPCO and KESCO is in the hands of CLP, which also has its own stations - Hok Un 'A' and 'B' (total 350 MW).

Castle Peak 'B' station, adjacent to the 'A' station, will have four 660 MW coal-fired units, scheduled to be commissioned between 1986 and 1990. Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO), under the same financial arrangements as those adopted for PEPCO and KESCO, has been incorporated to own the station. The Castle Peak 'A' and 'B' power stations, with an ultimate capacity of over 4 000 MW, will be the largest power station complex in Southeast Asia. The use of coal as the primary fuel for both stations is expected to reduce operating costs and will directly benefit consumers.

Transmission of electricity in the CLP system is carried out at 400 kV, 132 kV and 66 kV, while distribution is effected mainly at 33 kV, 11 kV and 346 volts. The supply is 50 hertz alternating current, normally at 200 volts single phase or 346 volts three phase. For bulk consumers, supply is available at 33 kV and 11 kV.

Work continued during the year on the staged development of an extra high voltage transmission system to transmit power from the Castle Peak power stations to the various load centres. When completed in 1986, the network, at 400 kV, will comprise 87 kilometres of double-circuit overhead line encircling the New Territories, 14 kilometres of cables and six extra high voltage sub-stations. The 41 kilometres of overhead line from Yuen Long to Tai Po have been completed and work is in progress on the Sha Tin to Tsz Wan Shan section. The 12 kilometre section linking Tai Po and Sha Tin is temporarily operating at 132 kV. The two sub-stations at Tsz Wan Shan and Tai Wan are energised and site formation works have commenced at the other four 400 kV sub-station sites at Tai Po, Yuen Long, Lei Muk Shue and Lai Chi Kok.

HEC's Ap Lei Chau Power Station, which started commercial operation in 1968, has an installed capacity of 935 MW, consisting of two 60 MW and six 125 MW oil-fired generating units together with two gas turbines rated at a total capacity of 65 MW.