Merging electricity and environment politics of Hong Kong: Identifying the barriers from the ways that sustainability is defined

• Published in: Energy policy 2008-04, Vol.36 (4), p.1521-1537
• Main Author: Lo, Alex Y.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Economic data; Electric energy; Electric power; Electric utilities; Electricity; Energy; Energy economics; Energy policy; Energy resources; Environmental economics; Environmental policy; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Hong Kong; Hong Kong, China; Political economy; Reforms; Studies; Sustainability; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2008.01.006

The present paper presents a study of the electricity policy of Hong Kong in an environmental–political context. Through a critical review of the policy structure and rationale, it identifies the barriers to developing a truly sustainable electricity policy system and is expected to shed light on the forthcoming electricity market reform in the territory. The barriers stem from the path-dependent institutional set-ups that restrict a timely transformation of the roles of the actors. And this is coupled with the government's treatment that does not look beyond these structural constraints, overly appreciating scientific and economic rationalities than communicative actions. The author is of the view that these are intensified by the sharp changes in the local political economy. Positive signs of change are dampened by the minimal progress in democratic development in the near future and the extension of the power companies’ monopolist status that will ruin the ‘trust’ between the stakeholders compounding the guilt of those rigid regulatory constraints.