Veteran engineer warns of more sudden voltage dips due to extreme weather

Edward Lo Wai-chau from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' electrical division said in a radio program on Monday that citizens should be mentally prepared for more voltage dips as there would be an increase in the frequency of extreme weather.

CLP experienced a voltage dip last Saturday, and the high-voltage equipment at its Lung Kwu Tan power plant in Tuen Mun ran into issues, affecting many areas in the New Territories of Kowloon, causing more than 120 incidents of trapped lifts and fire alarms to ring.

Lo, the spokesman of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' electrical division, stated in a radio program this morning that severe weather conditions caused by global warming are expected to become more frequent. The frequency of voltage dips will also increase, and he reminded the public to be mentally prepared.

Lo pointed out that there are many overhead power lines, and most of the reasons for the voltage dips are related to external factors such as hill fires and thunderstorms, while only some reasons could be internal factors.

He added that the thunderstorm warning had been hoisted when the previous voltage dip occurred.

The spokesman believes that moving overhead power lines underground would likely decrease the effect caused by external factors, but it would cost a lot.

As for how to reduce the trapped lift situation caused by voltage dip, Lo pointed out that some elevators in buildings have already installed voltage dip mitigation devices, and they can resume operation after self-inspection.

He also suggested that power companies and the government consider setting up a fund to support small property owners and apply for the installation of relevant measures.