OREANDA-NEWS. December 12, 2011. CLP has launched a power infrastructure development programme in support of government plans to develop Kowloon East into another core business district, reported the press-centre of CLP.

Electricity facilities, including 7 substations, will be constructed and commissioned in the region over 15 years to provide electricity up to 700MVA (equivalent to the sum of current power demand of Tsim Sha Tsui and Ma On Shan) to support the new development of Kai Tak as well as the redevelopment projects in old districts like Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Kowloon City.

In his recent Policy Address, the Chief Executive has outlined the blueprint for “Energizing Kowloon East”. In anticipation of surging power demand in Kowloon East and the Kai Tak development area in the coming decades, CLP has already put in place long-term strategies and planning. Taking Kai Tak development area as an example, major infrastructures will be  completed by 2021. Upon full occupation, electricity demand will go up to 450 MVA by more than 90,000 residents and a number of major public facilities in Kai Tak area.

In tandem with the first phase of Kai Tak’s development, CLP has built three new substations at
Fu On Street, Eastern Road and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, together with a cable tunnel. Upon
commissioning in early 2012, the Eastern Road and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Substations will provide electricity to the first phase of a public housing development for housing 34,000 residents, the Cruise Terminal Building and its First Berth to be completed in 2013, and the District Cooling System.

In the second phase from 2012-2021, CLP plans to build three more substations and one cable tunnel to meet the electricity demand of residential developments, a multi-purpose stadium complex, the Shatin-to-Central Link and the Kwun Tong Town Centre Redevelopment.

One more substation is planned for the period after 2021 so as to provide additional power supply to support the area’s future development. The Company will continue to work closely with the Government on their development plans for the region so as to ensure the power it needs is available.

At the ceremony, Mr Richard Lancaster, Managing Director of CLP Power said, “CLP has helped Hong Kong stay competitive by providing a reliable and sufficient supply of electricity to meet the needs of community and economic development. We are doing so in the most environmentally-friendly manner possible as well. To that end, in addition to a robust power network, we are also working at full speed to build a gas pipeline and related infrastructures to make sure replacement gas from mainland sources are online by next year. In short, we are CLP Power Hong Kong Limited working hard to power Hong Kong continuously to make Hong Kong a bright and sustainable metropolitan city.”

Reflecting CLP’s focus on maintaining supply reliability and quality, the Eastern Road Substation is the Hong Kong’s first smart substation. It will feature the most advanced and fully automated equipment, including a self-healing system to significantly shorten the power restoration time from several minutes to less than 1 second. Green features will also be incorporated, including a solar-powered rainwater collection and irrigation system, and a greenery ratio up to 30%.

Being the Hong Kong’s first substation featured with vertical greening, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Substation will mainly serve the Cruise Terminal and the residential and business users in its vicinity as well as the District Cooling System, playing a significant role to support the territory as a world-class tourist destination.

In the near future, Hong Kong will see the launch of a number of major infrastructure projects, including the Express Rail Link, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and West Kowloon Reclamation Development. While watching the new developments closely, CLP will also work with the Government to ensure electricity demand brought about by the city’s continued growth is met.