Hong Kong power utility CLP Power hopes to start work on new gas-fired generation unit next year

CLP Power hopes to begin work on one additional gas-fired generation unit at its Black Point plant in the second half of next year as it aims to meet the government's new future electricity mix for 2020.

Earlier this year, the utility - which supplies power to Kowloon and the New Territories - submitted a project profile for an environmental permit for the construction of "up to two" 600-megawatt-class natural-gas-fired units. It currently operates eight.

But managing director Paul Poon Wai-yin yesterday said the company now estimates only one more will be needed to meet the government's target of having 50 per cent of the city's electricity come from natural gas generation in five years.

"Previous plans for two units was a conservative forecast for this long-term investment," he said. "After a year of research, we believe one unit is enough to meet the fuel mix needs ... we hope the unit can be commissioned by 2020."

From an engineering standpoint, the company stressed preliminary works would have to begin at the Lung Kwu Tan plant by late next year in order to meet the 2020 deadline. Before that, the company would have had to pass its environmental impact assessment (EIA).

But WWF Hong Kong senior campaigner for energy, Prentice Koo Wai-muk, said it was strange that the company was only able to make the calculation now, as green groups had stated earlier this year that two units were unnecessary and that it was "overstating" figures to enlarge its fixed asset base.