Hong Kong Orders CLP to Implement 43 Measures to Strengthen Power Supply Stability
Hong Kong authorities have instructed the city’s largest electricity provider, CLP Power, to implement 43 improvement measures aimed at strengthening power supply reliability after a series of disruptions over recent years. The recommendations follow an official review into repeated power interruptions and voltage dips that raised concerns about infrastructure resilience and risk management.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, or Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, released the review report on Friday after examining incidents that occurred between 2021 and mid 2024. The assessment was carried out by an independent consultant under the supervision of technical experts, focusing on the causes of outages and identifying weaknesses in existing systems.
According to the report, a combination of extreme weather, ageing infrastructure, and operational vulnerabilities contributed to several of the power failures. Lightning strikes, in particular, were identified as a recurring risk factor, especially for overhead power lines serving densely populated and geographically diverse areas. Voltage dips, which can disrupt sensitive equipment and industrial operations even when electricity is not fully cut, were also highlighted as a growing concern.
CLP supplies electricity to Kowloon, the New Territories, and most of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, making it a critical pillar of the city’s daily operations and economic activity. Any disruption to its network can affect households, transport systems, hospitals, and businesses, increasing pressure on the company to maintain a highly resilient grid.
In response to the findings, CLP said it has drawn up detailed action plans to address the issues outlined in the report. Some of the measures began rolling out in the second half of 2024, with additional upgrades scheduled over the coming years. The company said it is placing particular emphasis on the use of advanced technology to strengthen monitoring and early warning capabilities across its network.
Among the steps being implemented are enhanced lightning protection systems, including the installation of additional lightning arresters on overhead transmission lines. These devices are designed to divert surges caused by lightning away from critical equipment, reducing the risk of damage and service interruption. CLP also plans to expand digital monitoring of substations and transmission assets, allowing engineers to detect abnormalities more quickly and respond before faults escalate.
The government review stressed that while some power disruptions are unavoidable, especially during severe weather, utilities must continually upgrade systems to match rising demand and increasing climate risks. Regulators said the measures were intended not only to prevent future outages, but also to improve communication with the public when incidents do occur.
Hong Kong’s power supply has long been regarded as among the most reliable in the world, but recent incidents have prompted closer scrutiny as the city becomes more dependent on uninterrupted electricity for data centers, transport networks, and digital services. Authorities said they will continue to monitor CLP’s progress closely and expect timely implementation of all recommended measures to safeguard long term energy security.
