Unreliability means linked power grid is a long way off: CLP official

Full integration of the power distribution grids in Hong Kong and Guangdong remains a far-off vision, CLP Holdings chief executive Andrew Brandler said yesterday.

A complete linkage of the networks would improve efficiency and might reduce power costs on both sides, Mr Brandler said. But huge differences in reliability of supply and environmental protection meant it would be a long-term undertaking.

'In 15 to 20 years, we will see much closer integration of the networks,' he said. 'But for the Pearl River Delta to have one electricity network, we have a long, long way to go.'

Network interconnection should proceed cautiously to avoid a repeat in Hong Kong of the recent blackouts in North America, London, Scandinavia and Italy, he said.

The networks were not designed to be interconnected when they were built and they should be brought to similar levels of reliability or there would be substantial blackout risks, he added.

'I don't think Hong Kong would want to expose itself to reliability and environmental risks [from Guangdong] ... Unlike other commodities, power cannot be stored.'