ENG-2006 — Page 293

Land, Public Works and Utilities | 241

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 up to 50 per cent of the 1 200MW capacity of Phase 1 of the Guangzhou Pumped Storage Power Station, at Conghua. Off-peak period 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 demand during peak periods.

There are regulations under the Electricity Ordinance governing the 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, some 8 500 electrical contractors and 68 000 electrical workers held valid registration papers and 620 competent persons were approved for laying underground cables.

In 2006, the Government conducted some 12 600 site inspections to check the safety standards of electrical installations and electrical product supply outlets and works sites near electricity supply lines. Prosecution and disciplinary actions were initiated in 555 cases.

Gas

Towngas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are the main types of fuel gas used in Hong Kong for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. LPG is also used as a fuel by some taxis and light buses while natural gas is used for electricity generation and production of towngas.

Hong Kong has about 2.3 million gas customers in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. In 2006, Towngas accounted for 82 per cent of total fuel gas sold in these sectors, while LPG accounted for 18 per cent.

Towngas is manufactured at plants in Tai Po and Ma Tau Kok, the former using natural gas and naphtha as dual feedstock and the latter using naphtha as feedstock. They have output capacities of 9.66 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 Kong via a 142-kilometre high-pressure pipeline and some 3 094 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 706 000 customers and 56 LPG filling stations. In 2006, about 17 per cent of the gas sold was in cylinders provided by some 332 appointed gas distributors. About 11 per cent was distributed to bulk storage installations which piped

piped the gas to residential and commercial developments, and the remaining 72 per cent to filling stations as fuel for more than 20 000 LPG taxis and light buses. Cylinder LPG is now used in about 21 per cent of households.