Page 25 - Sphere No.6 (Jun 2002)

S PHERE
23
The plant’s location has presented the company with an
added environmental challenge. Power reaches Hong Kong
Island on its south side but most of it is consumed on the
north side, with a chain of picturesque hills in between. The
traditional solution would be to use overhead transmission
lines, but despite their relatively low cost, installation of these
would be disruptive and would require excavation in some of
Hong Kong’s country parks.
“So the company took a more difficult, but environmen-
tally sensitive approach – tunnelling through the mountains,”
says Chief Engineer (Transmission & Distribution) S.S. Yuen.
“Two tunnels were built, keeping the cables out of sight and
conserving Hong Kong Island’s natural beauty.”
At the other end of the supply chain, Hongkong Electric
has made every effort to ensure that its network of 20 switch-
ing stations, 25 zone substations and 3,444 distribution sub-
stations blend in. “The substations are designed to achieve a
perfectly harmonious relationship with the environment,” Mr
Yuen explains. “Each location is unique, so each substation is
specially designed to fit its surroundings.”
Hongkong Electric also supports research on renewable
energy and alternative fuel sources. It has sponsored a research
project into wind power on Hong Kong’s Po Toi and Lamma
islands, solar energy research at the University of Hong Kong,
and has invested in electric vehicles for its own use.
Of equal value have been the company’s efforts to pro-
mote the efficient use of energy. It co-sponsors an Energy
Efficiency Centre at the Hong Kong Science Museum, and pro-
vides energy-efficient teaching kits for primary schools.
Furthermore, the company conducts and sponsors corpo-
rate afforestation schemes in Hong Kong and China. On
Lamma, for example, over 50% of all trees were planted by
Hongkong Electric.
In June 2000, the Hong Kong Government approved a com-
pany proposal to extend the Lamma Power Station. The gov-
ernment noted that when the six new 300MW gas-fired units
are completed, total annual gas emissions are set to drop by as
much as 60% while electricity generated will increase 43%.
“Contrary to the general perception,” the Government
noted in a report,“the Lamma Extension Project would in fact
bring considerable environmental benefits in reducing the
overall emissions.”
Not only is Hongkong Electric fully prepared to meet elec-
tricity needs well into the new century but it is also fully com-
mitted to maintaining a clean and safe environment for future
generations.
HONGKONG ELECTRIC (2)