ENG-2005 — Page 297

Land, Public Works and Utilities 251

Kong via a 137-kilometre high-pressure pipeline and 3 081 kilometres of distribution. mains.

LPG is imported into Hong Kong by sea and stored at five terminals on Tsing Yi Island before being distributed to approximately 722 000 customers and LPG vehicle filling stations. In 2005, about 18 per cent of total sales was supplied in cylinders by 236 appointed gas distributors (operating 589 cylinder wagons), about 12 per cent was distributed to bulk storage installations providing piped LPG supplies to residential and commercial developments, and the remaining 70 per cent to vehicle filling stations as fuel for more than 20 000 LPG taxis and light buses. Cylinder LPG is now used in less than 22 per cent of domestic dwellings.

Natural gas is currently used for power generation at the Black Point and Castle Peak power stations. It is imported from the Yacheng 13-1 gas field off Hainan Island in southern China via a 780-kilometre high-pressure submarine pipeline.

The Gas Safety Ordinance regulates the importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of fuel gas. All gas supply companies, gas installers and gas contractors must be registered with the Gas Authority (the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services) to carry out their operations. At year-end, there were seven registered gas supply companies, 3 613 registered gas installers and 440 registered gas contractors.

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Environment, Transport and Works Bureau: www.etwb.gov.hk Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau: www.hplb.gov.hk Economic Development and Labour Bureau: www.edlb.gov.hk