Letters | Hong Kong’s zero-carbon goal is just as vital as having affordable power

Do you have strong opinions about the news? You can express your views by sending us a Letter to the Editor. You can reach us via email or by filling out a Google form. Your submission should not exceed 400 words and must include your full name, address, and a contact number for verification. The Legislative Council is set to commence its review of the five-year development plans of Hong Kong's two power companies, HK Electric and CLP Power. This is part of the interim review of the government's agreements with these companies that regulate the city's electricity supply.

The Scheme of Control Agreements serve as a policy framework between the government and the power companies. These agreements outline the future fuel mix, shareholder returns, and performance targets. Additionally, the government conducts an annual review of the electricity tariffs under these agreements. While the cost of electricity is undeniably important, it should not be the sole consideration. In 2014, during Hong Kong's deliberation on its fuel mix, one proposal was to purchase electricity directly from the mainland to maintain affordable electricity tariffs. However, this would mean that Hong Kong would have limited control over the fuel mix and would be constrained in exploring other net-zero alternatives.

Therefore, instead of focusing solely on cost considerations, Hong Kong should strive to establish agreements that ensure fair resource competition and alignment of standards in the Greater Bay Area. These agreements should also aim for an environmentally sustainable energy mix and greater resilience against unexpected events such as power outages. The upcoming review presents an opportunity to establish a forward-looking and long-term strategy for the zero-carbon transition, while keeping electricity costs affordable. The Daya Bay nuclear power plant, a joint venture between CLP and Guangdong Nuclear Investment, could serve as a model. A joint-venture zero-carbon power plant prioritising wind, solar, and nuclear energy could provide a collaboration framework within the Greater Bay Area. This would increase the capacity of net-zero energy, thereby eliminating the need to construct new coal-fired plants in Guangdong, and give Hong Kong more control over electricity production, leading to more predictable tariff rates.