Talk of the town：Feed-in Tariff scheme
【明報專訊】To combat climate change, the government introduced the Feed-in Tariff (上網電價補貼) scheme in collaboration with the two power companies. Under the scheme, people can sell renewable energy generated at their homes to the power companies at a rate higher than the normal electricity rate.
Recent rate adjustment sparked controversies
The government and the power companies have lowered the prevailing rates effective from 27 April 2022, meaning that citizens who have installed a solar photovoltaic system will have to sell the electricity at a lower rate. The adjustment was made out of the significant reduction in the costs of developing distributed renewable energy systems in recent years. Commenting on the new adjustment, non-profit organization Greenpeace argues that the government should not reduce the rate as renewable energy is not widely adopted yet in Hong Kong.
Is the policy effective?
The scheme ''has been effective'', a government spokesman said. In comparison with around 200 private renewable energy systems that were connected to the power grids in the decade prior to the introduction of the Scheme, there were over 20,000 applications between 2018 and the first quarter of 2022, of which 18,000 have been approved. Since the establishment of the scheme, annual renewable energy generated has been around 300 million kWh, which is roughly equivalent to the demand of 90,000 households.
◆Grammar booster
Out of
In light of, because of.
e.g. I entered the house out of curiosity.
■Gear up
(Answers on next text)
1. The government has reduced the rate because of the decreasing costs of the renewable energy systems.
(True/ False/ Not given)
2. Greenpeace thinks the Scheme has not been effective.
(True/ False/ Not given)
■Glossary
combat (v) 對付
collaboration (n) 合作
adopt (v) 應用
equivalent (adj) 相當於
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view of rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第347期]
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