ENG-2005 — Page 295

Land, Public Works and Utilities | 249

domestic accounts can be made on-line. The Water Supplies Department continues to act as an agent to collect general sewage charges on behalf of the Drainage Services Department.

The core features of the Customer Care and Billing System were launched in December 2004 and its full production commenced in January 2005. The Water Supplies Department continues to monitor the performance of the new system.

The voluntary Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme, launched in July 2002 to encourage proper maintenance of internal plumbing systems in buildings, continues to receive positive public support. By the end of 2005, more than 4 000 certificates of compliance were issued under the scheme, benefiting more than 1 million families.

Electricity

The Hongkong Electric Company Limited (HEC) supplies Hong Kong Island and the neighbouring islands of Ap Lei Chau and Lamma; CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) supplies Kowloon and the New Territories, including Lantau and several outlying islands. The supply to consumers is at 50Hz alternating current while the voltage is 220 volts single-phase and 380 volts three-phase.

The two supply companies are investor-owned. The Government monitors the two companies through mutually agreed Scheme of Control Agreements. Current agreements with CLP Power and HEC came into effect on October 1, 1993, and January 1, 1994, respectively. Both will last for 15 years. The first and second five- yearly interim reviews were completed in early 1999 and late 2003. The agreements require each company to seek the approval of the Government for certain aspects of their financial plans, including projected tariff levels. The agreements do not grant the companies any exclusive rights. They are not franchises, nor do they define a supply area for either company or exclude new entrants to the market.

At year-end, HEC had a total installed capacity of 3 420 megawatts (MW) at the Lamma Power Station. Its first 300MW gas combined-cycle generator at the new Lamma Extension Power Station is scheduled to start commercial operation in 2006.

The Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO) supplies electricity to CLP Power from its Black Point (2 188MW), Castle Peak (4 108MW) and Penny's Bay (300MW) power stations. The eighth 312.5MW generator is scheduled to go into operation at Black Point in 2006.

CLP Power and HEC own their respective transmission and distribution systems. The two transmission systems are interconnected by a cross-harbour link. This provides emergency back-up and achieves cost savings to consumers through economic energy transfers between the two systems and a reduction in the amount of generating capacity that needs to be kept as spinning reserve against the tripping of other units. The interconnection link currently has a total capacity of 720 megavolt-amperes (MVA) (i.e. 720 000 kilovolt-amperes (KVA)).