****************************
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, on the future development of electricity market before attending a public event today (May 10):
Reporter: Mr Wong, CLP said if the electricity market is opened up, competition may not be necessary resulted in lower tariffs. How do you see this?
Secretary for the Environment: According to our public consultation document, we have mapped out the latest situation about competition in other countries or jurisdictions in relation to the electricity market. The findings are actually more or less in line with the opinions made by the power companies. While the Government's stance is that it remains our long term goal to open up the market to allow for more competition, but for this forthcoming term based on more practical consideration, the continuation of the SOC (Scheme of Control) can match our established objectives. But for the long term, we remain open-minded and would like to remain our goal, that is, to open the market in the long run.
Reporter: In the long run... can lower tariffs?
Secretary for the Environment: Certainly we have to observe what the situation is in other jurisdictions so that they can provide useful reference for us. The goal is whether the means through competition could really enhance achievement of our four objectives, that is, safety, stability, reasonable price and environmental protection.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, May 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:22
NNNN
