Sustaining Power Generation for a Sustainable Future

Securing cleaner energy to achieve better airquality is a cornerstone of CLP’s operations.Our Energy Vision is for a greener Hong Kongand the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region for now andin the future.

We understand the community’s aspirationsof improved air quality for Hong Kongand we are committed to playing a key role in thisimportant cause. Our goal is to work closely withall parties concerned in order to build a greenerhome for all in Hong Kong and in the PRD region.

For many years, CLP has demonstrated oursteadfast commitment to generating electricity ina sustainable manner. We have introduced manyinitiatives such as the employment of the advancedtechnologies and cleaner fuels which include thecleanest fossil fuel of all, natural gas plus zeroemittingnuclear power. The gas-fired Black PointPower Station had the first high efficiency gas turbinesof its type in Asia. CLP’s involvement in theemerging nuclear industry in mainland China beginningin the late 70s recognized the importanceof a balanced generation portfolio for a variety oftechnical, environmental and economic reasons.We have also implemented incremental measuresto continuously improve technical and environmentalperformance over the years. In fact sincethe early 1990s, an almost 85 percent reductionin emissions has been achieved while generatingapproximately 80 percent more electricity. CLP hasbeen able to produce more with less emissions, asignificant achievement over the last two decades.

Since 1991, we have been implementing a seriesof significant environmental measures at ourcoal-fired 4,110 MW Castle Peak Power Stationin Hong Kong. These projects include the installationof electrostatic precipitators during 1991,which resulted in a substantial 99 percent reductionin respirable suspended particulates (RSP), theinstallation of low nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners in1993 to reduce the formation of NOx during thecoal-fired power generating process, and the introductionof low sulphur coal since early 2000’sto further reduce SO2 emissions. We then retrofittedthe Castle Peak ‘B’ Power Station’s generatingunits with large scale emissions control equipmentto further enhance its already high-standard of lowemissions performance.

Most recently, a technically complex emissionscontrol project with an approximately US$1 billionbudget was commissioned. The project not onlyenabled us to meet the regulatory requirementsbut improved upon them with regard to particulates,sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissionslevels to the tune of almost 60 percent reductions.Additionally, the project went even further in termsof environmental protection in that the water usedin the power plant is treated on-site and wherereused when possible. The innovative three-stagewastewater treatment plant utilizes three differenttechnologies which include emerging biotechnicaltechnologies, physical filtration, and chemicaltreatment. All of these emission control measureshave served to make CLP’s Castle Peak Power Stationone of the cleanest coal-fired power plants inthe world today.

In the long run, CLP has issued a proactive environmentalstrategic framework with hard targetsto reduce carbon emissions and increase itsinvestment in renewable generation sources. Oneof the initiatives is to increase the level of naturalgas in our fuel mix. With the signing of an MOUin 2008 for energy co-operation on new gas supplies,we are now working closely with authoritiesin mainland China and other relevant organisationsto secure a stable long-term supply of naturalgas for power generation in the future. CLP recognizesthat a prudent, reasonable approach mustbe taken in order to sustain its continued success.Therefore, we believe that maintaining a balancedgeneration portfolio with available technologies iscritical to a robust system in terms of mitigatingenvironmental, technical and economic risks.

With regard to developing local renewable energy(RE), given Hong Kong’s densely populatedurban environment and the nature of our terrainthere is limited potential for Hong Kong to developsignificant land-based renewable energy projects.However, developing wind power resources offshoreis a possible alternative and we are activelyexploring the possibility to develop a wind farm inthe southeastern waters of Hong Kong. Besides,we have also been developing a total RE solutionfor Town Island which includes wind and solartechnologies. We have also provided connectionfacilities to over 70 small scale RE facilities to ourgrid.

CLP commits to striving for a sustainable powergeneration and we will continue to play our part inefforts to combat air pollution and climate changewhile ensure a reliable and affordable electricitysupply to the people of Hong Kong.