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HK to impose emission caps for power plants

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-07 21:03

HONG KONG  -- The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Friday published in the Gazette a technical memorandum, which stipulates the quantities of emission allowances of air pollutants by power plants.

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According to the memorandum, the annual emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and respirable suspended particulates for the power generation sector in 2010 and beyond will be capped at 25,120 tons, 42,600 tons and 1,260 tons, respectively.

"Power generation is the largest local emission source. The government has imposed and has been progressively tightening up the emission caps on power plants since 2005," said a government spokesman.

The memorandum is essential in ensuring the achievement of the 2010 emission reduction targets agreed with the Guangdong Provincial Government in April 2002 for improving the air quality in the Pearl River Delta Region, he said.

To achieve the 2010 emission caps, The two local power companies have been embarking upon abatement measures to cut down their emissions, including addition of flue gas desulphurisation systems and increasing the use of natural gas for electricity generation.

"All power plants are required to ensure that their actual emissions do not exceed the emission allowances for the respective types of air pollutant specified," said the spokesman.

He warned that failure to meet the requirement is liable to a heavy penalty of 30,000 HK dollars (3,875 US dollars) per tons of excessive emissions.  Subsequent offenses will entail a more severe penalty of 60,000 HK dollars (7,750 US dollars) per ton of excessive emissions plus six months' imprisonment.

The memorandum will be tabled at the Legislative Council on November 12 for commencement before the end of 2008.