Hong Kong government’s feed-in tariff plan for renewable energy has been popular – but some residents bemoan cost, confusion and safety risks
- CLP Power receives more than 3,400 applications for the scheme and says 80 per cent were approved
- But some clean energy suppliers complain of poor installation guidelines and potential liability concerns
Hong Kong’s first citywide renewable energy programme has received thousands of applications since it was launched six months ago – but some say the solar power plan brings legal and safety risks.
HK Electric, which supplies Hong Kong and Lamma islands, said it received 100 applications and more than half had been approved and were now in the installation process.
The tariff scheme allows, households, businesses or institutions with to install rooftop solar panels – or wind systems – at their own expenses and to sell the clean electricity to the power grid at higher than market rates.
Despite the plan’s immediate popularity, some participants of the plan – as well as a local environmental group – said the installation of solar panels exposes them to safety hazards that are not clarified in the application process. Some applicants and new suppliers said the application itself was too confusing.
