Hong Kong secures nuclear supply
The Daya Bay nuclear power plant will continue to figure large in the Chinese region's power supply after the approval of a 20-year contract extension.
The Daya Bay nuclear power plant will continue to figure large in the Chinese region's power supply after the approval of a 20-year contract extension.
Daya Bay was built in the early 1990s and some 70% of the output of its two 944 MWe reactors has always been purchased by China Light and Power (CLP), the major utility in Hong Kong. This makes up 30% of CLP's supplies and 25% of Hong Kong's overall.
On 22 September, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) approved a deal for that level of supply to continue until 2034.
According to CLP, Hong Kong would continue to enjoy "a reliable, secure, clean fuel source" and also "electricity at a competitive and stable price." The deal reinforces CLP's commitment to use 20% non-carbon emitting supply by 2020.
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| Hong Kong has never been the most energy-efficient of cities but nuclear power has helped improve air quality over the last 15 years. |
A company statement read: "Over the past 15 years, nuclear power has contributed greatly to Hong Kong's environmental performance both in terms of improving air quality and addressing climate change. As a near-zero emission fuel source, it has significantly reduced Hong Kong's emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates. It has also saved more than 130 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equal to about three times Hong Kong's annual emissions."
The deal was said to demonstrate the close and longstanding partnership between CLP and plant owner China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company. It it also a significant step in implementing a long-term agreement between HKSAR and the Chinese central government.
