CLP : Power Launches over HK$160 Million Worth of Community Support Programmes to Boost Economy

CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) today announced a series of community support programmes to benefit people in different parts of society in response to the immense challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funded by a total sum of more than HK$160 million from the CLP Community Energy Saving Fund, the programmes aim to encourage consumer spending and help the Hong Kong economy regain momentum.

CLP Power will allocate more than HK$80 million to launch a new CLP Retail and Catering Coupons programme for six months to encourage consumer spending and support disadvantaged people. From January 2021, a total worth of HK$100 retail and catering coupons will be given to each of the nearly 800,000 households, including residential customers with low electricity consumption, elderly customers who qualify for concessionary tariffs, and 10,000 tenants of subdivided units. The coupons can be used in more than 2,000 participating outlets.

In the meantime, CLP Power will continue to provide further assistance to tenants of subdivided units. On top of the retail and catering coupons, CLP Power will offer a HK$600 electricity subsidy to each of 10,000 subdivided unit tenants to relieve their burden of daily spending. Eligible landlords of subdivided units will also be given subsidies to carry out rewiring works needed for the installation of individual electricity meters to improve the safety and living environment of tenants. The total estimated budget for the programmes is more than HK$7 million. In addition, CLP Power will set aside HK$10 million to provide HK$2,000 worth of energy-efficient electrical appliances to each of 5,000 households living in transitional housing to improve energy efficiency at homes.

In another initiative to promote energy saving, CLP Power is launching a programme to subsidise non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community partners in organising activities related to energy conservation. The subsidy will be paid in the form of reimbursement after the events. Each organisation can apply for a maximum subsidy of HK$20,000.

CLP Power Chief Corporate Development Officer Ms Quince Chong said, 'COVID-19 has had a big impact on people and businesses across Hong Kong. As a business that has been an integral part of Hong Kong for 120 years, CLP Power hopes the support programmes will not only benefit people in different parts of society but also stimulate the economy and help it regain its momentum. I hope more corporations will join force in helping the needy as well as serving as an impetus to revive the economy.'

In 2021, the CLP Power Connect programme will continue to encourage residential customers to conserve energy. It will also provide electricity subsidies of HK$500 each to more than 40,000 underprivileged households referred by NGOs, including elderly people, disabled people, and low-income families. The total estimated budget for the programme is more than HK$35 million.

To help students with financial difficulties, a total of HK$1.5 million will be used to fund the CLP Award for VPET Students in the 2021/2022 academic year. Students enrolled in vocational and professional education and training (VPET) programmes with the Vocational Training Council will receive a subsidy of HK$20,000 each on the recommendation of the council. There will be 75 awardees.

The Electrical Equipment Upgrade Scheme will meanwhile be funded by HK$20 million to subsidise businesses and help commercial and industrial sector customers, in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Customers can make use of the subsidies to replace or upgrade their electrical equipment to more energy-efficient models, including both retrofit projects and new installations. Since the scheme's launch in January 2019, an estimated 50 GWh of electricity a year has been saved.

CLP Power has also set aside HK$1 million for a Retro-Commissioning Training Scheme for employees from 100 businesses. The scheme aims to enrich their knowledge of energy efficiency, helping lower both their electricity expenses and carbon emissions. CLP Power will also subsidise NGOs and schools to carry out BEAM Plus assessments in order to encourage greater energy efficiency.

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 services to 6 million people in its supply area.

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