Fossil Fuel Fired Power Plants
Power plants are subject to licensing control under the Air Pollution Control (Specified Processes) Regulations (Cap 311F). They are required to implement best practicable means (BPM) for preventing emissions of air pollutants. BPM, based on the application of best available techniques and best environmental practices, set out the minimum technical requirements that may cover plant/process design, work practices and emission standards. Any new development is subject to a vigorous environmental impact assessment process under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap 499).
Subject to energy policies, economic considerations and technical feasibility, and timing of adjusting the fuel mix to meet the local power demand, measures to further reduce the dioxin/furan emissions from the power industry would include:
- optimize the use of existing generating capacity of gas-fired power plants; and
- progressively phase out old coal-fired generation units and replace with gas-fired plants in the long term.
