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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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CLP in drive to cut emissions
A new gas-fired generation unit of CLP Power in Tuen Mun is in operation and can provide electricity to 900,000 families - about one-sixth of CLP clients - and reduce carbon emissions by one million metric tonnes a year.
The first of the two new gas-fired generation units of CLP Power at Black Point Power Station has been operating since last year. It has a generation capacity of about 550 megawatts and an operational efficiency of up to 60 percent - among the world's highest.
The new unit has raised the ratio of natural gas in CLP Power's fuel mix from less than 30 percent in 2019 to about 50 percent last year.
CLP is currently building the second unit, which is expected to start operating by the end of 2023 as part of a program to phase out the coal-fired Castle Peak A Power Station.
CLP Power managing director Chiang Tung-keung said the new unit costs about HK$600 million, with a life expectancy of 35 years and little effect on electricity pricing. He also believes adopting sustainable energy can reduce fluctuation in electricity prices.
He said CLP Power will discuss next year's electricity pricing with the government.
"CLP Power is currently estimating the cost of building an offshore wind power plant and hopes to submit the proposal for government approval by 2024-28. We will also not rule out developing nuclear energy to combat climate change," Chiang said.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who attended the opening ceremony yesterday, said achieving net-zero carbon emissions for electricity generation is the most important part of the government's carbon reduction efforts, as electricity generation makes up to two-thirds of Hong Kong's carbon emissions.
"We estimate that the city's level of carbon emission last year has been reduced by one-fifth compared to 2005, as power companies started replacing coal with natural gas and other zero-carbon energy," she said.
The new unit has raised the ratio of natural gas in CLP Power's fuel mix from less than 30 percent in 2019 to about 50 percent last year.
CLP is currently building the second unit, which is expected to start operating by the end of 2023 as part of a program to phase out the coal-fired Castle Peak A Power Station.
CLP Power managing director Chiang Tung-keung said the new unit costs about HK$600 million, with a life expectancy of 35 years and little effect on electricity pricing. He also believes adopting sustainable energy can reduce fluctuation in electricity prices.
He said CLP Power will discuss next year's electricity pricing with the government.
"CLP Power is currently estimating the cost of building an offshore wind power plant and hopes to submit the proposal for government approval by 2024-28. We will also not rule out developing nuclear energy to combat climate change," Chiang said.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who attended the opening ceremony yesterday, said achieving net-zero carbon emissions for electricity generation is the most important part of the government's carbon reduction efforts, as electricity generation makes up to two-thirds of Hong Kong's carbon emissions.
"We estimate that the city's level of carbon emission last year has been reduced by one-fifth compared to 2005, as power companies started replacing coal with natural gas and other zero-carbon energy," she said.
