CLP Power Hong Kong: A New Chapter of Low-carbon Energy - Celebrating Hong Kong’s First Offshore LNG Terminal

The Hong Kong Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal marks a new chapter in low-carbon power generation. The operation of the terminal has enhanced Hong Kong’s fuel supply stability.

Original Press Release:

Sept. 21 -- CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) issued the following news release:

CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) and The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd (HK Electric) today (21 September) held an opening ceremony for the Hong Kong Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal, marking a new chapter in low-carbon power generation. The operation of the terminal has enhanced Hong Kong’s fuel supply stability by the addition of a new supply source for natural gas, facilitating the city’s energy transition.

The ceremony was officiated by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) the Honourable John KC Lee, Secretary for Environment and Ecology the Honourable Tse Chin-wan, CLP Holdings Chairman the Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited Chairman Mr Victor TK Li.

Speaking at the ceremony, CLP Holdings Chairman the Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie said, “The construction of the offshore LNG terminal took place in the midst of the pandemic, exemplifying Hong Kong’s engineering prowess and our city’s can-do spirit. Being the first of its kind in Hong Kong, the offshore LNG terminal bears great significance in supporting the city’s energy transition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”

He added, “CLP Power and HK Electric have been serving Hong Kong for over a century. This new terminal signifies a proud collaboration between us to support Hong Kong’s energy development. We would like to take this opportunity to express our greatest gratitude to the many parties who helped make this engineering wonder possible – our business partners, marine experts, engineers, technicians, construction workers, and HK Electric and CLP Power colleagues. Our thanks also go to the Hong Kong SAR Government for developing visionary environmental policies that galvanise the collective efforts of the electricity sector and the bigger community, and to different government departments for facilitating the construction of this rather complicated project.”

Chief Executive of the HKSAR the Honourable John KC Lee said, “A secure and stable energy supply not only supports the smooth operation of society but also serves as the foundation for high-quality economic development.” He described the significance of the completion and official operation of the offshore LNG terminal as being three-fold: "During the construction phase, the project team encountered significant challenges, including adverse weather conditions, the pandemic, and fairway design etc. Through collective efforts, they successfully overcame these obstacles and completed the project." He expressed, "This spirit of unity and collaboration to build Hong Kong together is precisely the 'Bauhinia Spirit' that we take pride in."

Furthermore, he highlighted the potential synergies between the offshore LNG terminal and maritime development, which can contribute to strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international maritime hub. "The Government has established a joint working group to facilitate the supply of LNG to ocean-going vessels in Hong Kong, including exploring the use of this newly completed terminal for vessel refuelling."

He further pointed out, "Energy crises and supply constraint caused by international geopolitical factors bring uncertainty to energy security and stability. This terminal diversifies and enhances the reliability of Hong Kong's gas supply while enabling power generation to reduce emissions."

Jointly developed and constructed by the two power companies since 2020, Hong Kong Offshore LNG Terminal is located to the east of the Soko Islands and went into service in July 2023. The Bauhinia Spirit is the world’s largest FSRU vessel and has an LNG storage capacity of 263,000 cubic metres. It is moored at the jetty of the terminal to receive, store, and regasify LNG before the natural gas is sent by two separate subsea pipelines to CLP Power’s Black Point Power Station and HK Electric’s Lamma Power Station.

The terminal gives the power companies direct access to international LNG markets and provides a long-term alternative fuel source to meet Hong Kong’s generation needs. It also strengthens the companies’ supply reliability, and ability to source competitively-priced gas for the benefit of customers and Hong Kong as a whole.

Appendix: Facts about the Hong Kong Offshore LNG Terminal (https://www.clpgroup.com/content/dam/clp-group/channels/media/document/embedded_pdfs_en/20230921_HKOLNG%20Terminal_FactSheet_en.pdf)

About CLP Power Hong Kong Limited

CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) is the Hong Kong utility subsidiary wholly owned by CLP Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and one of the largest investor-owned power businesses in Asia. CLP Power operates a vertically integrated electricity supply business in Hong Kong, and provides a highly reliable supply of electricity and excellent customer service to more than six million people in its supply area.

About HK Electric

HK Electric has been powering Hong Kong for more than 130 years, providing a reliable and clean electricity supply to customers on Hong Kong and Lamma Islands. HK Electric has been constructing new gas-fired generating units to replace coal-fired generation as part of its decarbonisation strategy.

About Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited

Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited (HKLTL) is a joint venture of Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO) and The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. (HK Electric). HKLTL develops, owns and operates a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Hong Kong and provides LNG regasification and related services to CAPCO and HK Electric.

* CAPCO is a 70:30 joint venture of CLP Power and China Southern Power Grid International (HK) Co., Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Southern Power Grid Company Limited.

Source: CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power)

[Category: Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation, Energy, ESG]