ENG-2005 — Page 296

250 Land, Public Works and Utilities

CLP Power's transmission system is also interconnected with the electricity network in Guangdong Province which facilitates the export and import of electricity to and from the province. The electricity sales to Guangdong are made from existing reserve generating capacity of CLP Power and are governed by an agreement with the Government, under which CLP Power's consumers receive priority of supply and 80 per cent of the profit from the sales. At the same time, CLP Power buys about 70 per cent of the power generated by the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station at Daya Bay, which has two 984 MW pressurised water reactors, to meet part of the longer- term demand for electricity in its supply area.

CLP Power also has the right to use 50 per cent of the 1 200MW capacity of Phase 1 of the Guangzhou Pumped Storage Power Station, at Conghua. Off-peak electricity from the CAPCO system and the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station is stored in the pumped storage power station, which generates hydro-electricity to meet Hong Kong's peak demand.

The Electricity Ordinance is the main enabling legislation on electrical safety. Under this ordinance, there are regulations concerning registration of electrical contractors and workers and competent persons, safety of electrical wiring, supply of safe household electrical products and protection of electricity supply lines from third party damage.

As at December 2005, some 8 700 electrical contractors and 64 500 electrical workers held valid registration. Also, some 590 competent persons had been approved for locating underground electricity cables. In 2005, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department revised the code of practice on working near electricity supply lines to provide up-to-date guidelines on how to comply with the requirements of the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation.

During enforcement of the Electricity Ordinance in 2005, the Government conducted some 12 200 site inspections to check the safety standards of electrical installations and electrical product supply outlets and works sites near electricity supply lines. Prosecution action was initiated in 374 cases.

Gas

Towngas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are the main types of fuel gas used throughout Hong Kong for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. In addition, LPG is used as a fuel for LPG taxis and light buses, and natural gas is used for electricity generation.

Hong Kong has about 2 million gas customers in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. In 2005, Towngas accounted for 82 per cent of the total fuel gas sold in energy terms, and LPG for 18 per cent.

Towngas is manufactured at plants in Tai Po and Ma Tau Kok, both using naphtha as feedstock. They have output capacities of 9.45 and 2.6 million cubic metres per day, respectively. Towngas is supplied through an integrated distribution system to about 1.6 million customers. The mains network extends throughout Hong