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

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  • Lo, Alex Y.H.

Abstract

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.

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  • Lo, Alex Y.H., 2008. "Merging electricity and environment politics of Hong Kong: Identifying the barriers from the ways that sustainability is defined," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1521-1537, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:36:y:2008:i:4:p:1521-1537
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mah, Daphne Ngar-yin & van der Vleuten, Johannes Marinus & Hills, Peter & Tao, Julia, 2012. "Consumer perceptions of smart grid development: Results of a Hong Kong survey and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 204-216.
    2. Chung, Sum Yue & Xu, Yuan, 2020. "Reliability and resilience in a regulated electricity market: Hong Kong under Typhoon Mangkhut," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    3. Mah, Daphne Ngar-yin & Hills, Peter & Tao, Julia, 2014. "Risk perception, trust and public engagement in nuclear decision-making in Hong Kong," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 368-390.
    4. Alex Y. H. Lo, 2008. "Achieving Environmental Goals in a Competitive Electricity Market?: Post-Colonial Hong Kong, Public Choice and the Role of Government," Energy & Environment, , vol. 19(7), pages 959-978, December.

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