Power companies should charge more for commercial customers who frequently use large amounts of electricity at peak times, according to a paper on ways to improve air quality.
This would allow more efficient use of energy and remove the need for new power stations and related transmission lines, according to the draft consultation paper.
The Council for Sustainable Development paper, some details of which were reported in this week's Sunday Morning Post, says the government and the power companies should implement measures that encourage the public to reduce energy consumption.
'Power companies build stations to cater for the peak of electricity demand. If we can lower the electricity demand in peak hours and shift the demand to off-peak hours, fewer stations will be built in the long run,' said a member of the support group that prepared the paper.
This could be done by raising charges for commercial consumers whose electricity demand was often high in peak hours, to encourage consumers with a more flexible business style to operate in non-peak hours, said the member, who did not want to be named.
CLP Power currently offers cheaper off-peak electricity, but the paper said more should be done to encourage consumers to carry out energy planning. The group also urged the government to promote green buildings by setting up a comprehensive green labelling system for buildings with superior energy performance. Households and firms are also encouraged to find innovative ways to save energy.
Patrick Lau Sau-shing, lawmaker for the planning sector, said he would propose a motion urging the government to improve town planning and building designs, at a Legislative Council meeting on May 23.