Page 19 - R&KT Flipping Book - Issue 5, Dec 2016

Knowledge transfer forum

Are Hong Kong People Happy with Their Issue FIve

Electricity Suppliers?

Hong Kong’s two local power companies - China Light and Power (CLP)
and Hong Kong Electric (HEC) are regulated monopolies operating under
the Scheme of Control Agreement, a 10-year contract signed between each
power company and the Government.

Professor Woo Chi-keung, Professor of Department of Asian and Policy Studies

Government consultation shows that Hong Kong people enjoy “The conclusion is that while Hong Kong consumers are reasonably
superbly reliable electricity supply at prices comparable to those of happy with their electricity service’s reliability and price
other major cities. Are local consumers satisfied with the electricity reasonableness, they wish to more actively engage in shaping Hong
providers? If not, what more do they want? Kong’s electricity future.”

These are the kind of questions that motivate the research of Professor Woo has been working hard to transfer knowledge gained
Professor Woo Chi-keung of Department of Asian and Policy Studies from his findings to the community. He has written articles for
at EdUHK. With over 30 years of industry experience and 130 journals that are widely read by energy analysts and regulatory
publications, he is a Senior Fellow of the United States Association staff. He also gives lectures, attended by academics, industry
for Energy Economics and has shaped electricity policies in North professionals, officials, consumer advocates and environmentalists,
America, Israel and Hong Kong. to debate on Hong Kong’s electricity future.
Driving Changes Through Study
In his study, “What do Hong Kong consumers want from their
electricity providers?”, Professor Woo surveyed 1,100 Hong Kong
residents in 2014, finding 73% of Hong Kong consumers like to
know more about their electricity rates and 78% wish to have a
say in determining an electricity rate increase. Only 22% opine the
Government being effective in regulating the power companies’
costs and rates, while 75% are willing to pay monthly an extra
HK$10 in their electricity bills to fund a public utilities commission
(PUC).

Professor Woo and his North American colleagues visiting Jerusalem after delivering
their lectures in July 2014 to the stakeholders of the Israeli electricity industry

Professor Woo’s visit of CLP’s Smart Grid Centre in April 2016

R & KT News 19