HONG KONG - To further reduce the emissions from the power generation sector from 2017 onwards, the Hong Kong government published the "Third Technical Memorandum for Allocation of Emission Allowances in Respect of Specified Licences " in the Gazette on Friday. ?

The new technical memorandum (TM), which is issued under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, will cap the annual emissions from the power generation sector in 2017 and beyond in respect of three air pollutants, namely sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and respirable suspended particulates (RSP).

The caps will be 10,399 tons for SO2, 25,950 tons for NOx and 750 tons for RSP. Compared to the emission caps as set out in the second TM for 2015 onwards, the emissions of the three air pollutants will be reduced by 17 percent, 6 percent and 10 percent respectively.

"The new emission caps will require the power companies to continue their efforts to use low-emission coal as far as possible and maintain the performance of their advanced emission control devices.

"The power companies will also take up surplus electricity generated from renewable energy and waste-to-energy facilities to reduce coal-fired electricity generation, thereby reducing emissions," a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said.

The emissions from the power generation sector accounted for 50 percent, 25 percent and 16 percent respectively of territory-wide emissions of SO2, NOx and RSP in 2010.

The tightened emission allowances will help improve the air quality in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region, the spokesman said, adding the department will continue to review the TM not less than once every two years.

The new set of emission allowances will come into effect starting on Jan 1, 2017.