Quake delays fuel-mix revamp decision

November 02, 2011

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau says the Government must take into account reviews international nuclear safety agencies are conducting on the Fukushima incident and nuclear-energy safety, as well as their analyses, evaluations and conclusions, before coming to a view on how to revamp the present coal-dependent fuel mix.
 
In response to an enquiry from Legislator Frederick Fung today, Mr Yau said the public consultation on Hong Kong’s climate-change strategy and action agenda was completed in December 2010, and more than 1,200 responses had been received.
 
Respondents in general supported implementing measures to combat climate change, and grasping the opportunity to develop a low-carbon economy, he said.
 
“While we were consolidating the feedback and suggestions received, the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan caused the nuclear accident in Fukushima. The proposal to revamp the fuel mix forms an important part of our climate-change strategy. The Government is aware that, in the wake of the incident, there have been divergent views in the community on the use of nuclear power,” he said.
 
There have been suggestions Hong Kong should ban the use of nuclear power, he said, while some suggested relinquishing the 20% of power from nuclear power currently in use.
 
“There have also been views the issue should be approached in a pragmatic manner. The safety aspect of nuclear power generation should first be ascertained, before further consideration is given to the future fuel mix for Hong Kong,” he said.
  
“This is a highly important process, and has inevitably affected our timeframe for early formulation of a carbon-reduction strategy and target,” he said.