Page 14 - Sphere No.30 (Dec 2011)

12 Sphere 30
Hong Kong’s biggest solar generation project is
commissioned in July at Lamma Power Station,
generating 550 kW of electricity. The company
also announces the proposed development of a
100 MW wind farm near Lamma Island by 2015.
2010
The company acquires a 25 per cent stake
in Seabank Power near Bristol in the UK in
June 2010. Four months later, it acquires a
40 per cent interest in UK Power Networks
comprising three regional electricity networks.
2010
The company changes the name of its
holding company to Power Assets,
retaining Hongkong Electric for its
domestic operations.
2011
Above left: Officiating guests and Lamma Island residents launch eco-routes developed under the “Green Lamma Green” project
undertaken by Hongkong Electric and The Conservancy Association.
Above right: Local retirees participating in a University of Third Age (U3A) fun day visit the Lamma Power Station.
with a concern for sustainability and a deeply-felt responsibility
to the community. “First and foremost, Power Assets is a utility
company that serves the people,” said Mr Tso.
He also pointed, however, to community initiatives, notably
the company’s three-year Green Lamma Green project, to
enhance the island’s biodiversity and ecological appeal as well as
the University of Third Age project to promote lifelong learning
among the city’s retired population. As a result of these and
other efforts, the company has recently been presented with
a “Total Caring Award” in recognition of its achievements in
promoting corporate social responsibility.
While much has changed in some 120 years, the company’s
philosophy on service has remained a constant. “Power Assets is
still very keen to serve people and enhance reliability,” said
Mr Tso, drawing on the experience of his own decades of
service. “Our way of investing in power stations, the spirit of
being a reliable utility company and treating our customers
well, have been constants throughout my time. The idea that
Power Assets can only be better, not worse, is a key value of the
past which remains today.”
This commitment also applies to staff. According to Mr Tso,
there are some 300 employees, out of the company’s workforce
of nearly 2,000, who have been with the company for 30 years
or more.
The latest chapter in the company’s ongoing story has
involved changing the name of the holding company to
Power Assets to better reflect the global nature of its business
today, and of its future ambitions.
Domestically, however, senior management decided to keep
the name Hongkong Electric. They recognised the value of
keeping alive in the community for years to come the company’s
legacy of service to Hong Kong people.
“First and foremost, Power Assets is
a utility company that serves the people.”