The Chief Executive in Council approved the new development plans of the two power companies.

The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that the main investment proposals of the new development plan include the construction of two new gas-fired generating units, which will be commissioned in 2022 and 2023 respectively, to replace coal-fired units that have been in operation for more than 30 years. The overall natural gas power generation of the two power plants will increase, from about 26% of CLP and about 34% of HK Electric at present, to about 50% in 2020, and then further increased to more than 50% of CLP and about 70% of HK Electric in 2023 %. In addition, the two power companies plan to jointly build an offshore LNG terminal in Hong Kong waters.

Other major projects include CLP strengthening the clean energy transmission system connected to China Southern Power Grid and the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant.

Huang Jinxing pointed out that he had reached a new control plan agreement with the two power companies earlier, focusing on promoting energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy. He expects that the new development plan under the agreement will have the opportunity to achieve the 2030 carbon intensity reduction target earlier and further improve the air quality in Hong Kong. The government has minimised the impact on electricity bills from tackling climate change and improving air quality.