Higher energy demand from Hong Kong heatwave could trigger outages, expert warns

Power supply and air-conditioning disruptions during Hong Kong’s ongoing heatwave have affected estate residents, office workers and even a funeral parlour, as an expert warned that the higher energy demand caused by the weather could trigger outages in older districts. The city has grappled with an intense heatwave in recent days, with scorching temperatures driven by a southwesterly airstream. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Tuesday the maximum temperature recorded at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui was 34.8 degrees Celsius (94.6 Fahrenheit), while mercury readings in Yuen Long peaked at 36.9 degrees. On Sunday, the peak temperature at the forecaster’s headquarters hit levels unseen since records began in 1884, reaching 36.9 degrees. Tuesday’s weather also took a toll on the Global Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, where a power outage affected services. “The ventilation system was down, so the management told mourners not to light incense or burn any paper offerings,” industry employee Chan Yan said. “And staff had to carry the bodies up the stairs.” The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH), which runs the funeral parlour, said the power disruption started on Sunday afternoon. It initially said the outage had affected lighting, air-conditioning and exhaust ventilation systems on certain floors, as well as lifts used to transport bodies. But the funeral home’s mortuary and the bodies stored there were unaffected, it added. “Following an assessment by qualified engineers, repairs cannot be completed in the short term, as specialised replacement parts need to be ordered,” TWGH said at the time. “Consequently, certain facilities within the parlour are unable to operate normally, and we can only offer limited funeral hall rental services at the moment.” The operator later confirmed that “lighting, exhaust ventilation and some air-conditioning units in the affected funeral halls” had been restored, but said the remaining air-conditioning units and cargo lifts were expected to be repaired by Thursday afternoon. “The exact cause remains under investigation, and it is currently unknown whether it was related to the high temperatures,” TWGH said. It promised to refund funeral hall rents paid by affected undertakers and families, and offer free facilities to those who wished to use other TWGH-run funeral homes. One family of mourners, who asked not to be named, told the South China Morning Post that their agent had decided to move the funeral of a loved one to another venue. Over at Shui Pin Wai Estate and the surrounding area in Yuen Long, about 2,400 households were left without power for several hours after an underground cable developed a fault at around 4am on Tuesday. Writing on social media, one resident said: “I cannot believe I have to live without electricity in Hong Kong … I will die without air conditioning in such weather.” Another said: “The whole estate lost electricity, and there are fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles. One person had been carried downstairs, and there is some odour.” The user added that residents had gathered outside their homes with fans to fight the heat. CLP Power, which supplies energy to Kowloon and the New Territories, apologised to affected residents and said it would investigate the power failure. It added that the electricity supply to the area had gradually resumed after 10.45am. Wan Chai’s Wu Chung House, which houses offices for the Department of Health, the Social Welfare Department and other departments, also experienced disruptions. Its management office said half of the building’s air-conditioning units were down and in need of emergency repairs. Veteran electrical and building services engineer Ho Wing-ip said energy appliances required more power during extreme heat, while such weather also prompted more people to use their air conditioning. “Under high temperatures, as the total electricity demand from residents grows, it may cause cables to reach their maximum ratings. When the temperature continues to increase, it can lead to overloading and trip the circuit breaker,” he said. “The temperature affects the reliability of electricity.” Ho noted that older neighbourhoods were more prone to such situations, as their cables had lower capacity compared with newer districts. “Utility companies can prioritise handling cables with a higher chance of power outage. Generally, cables in old districts require more attention,” he said. While individual areas might face disruptions, Ho stressed that the city’s two power suppliers could still meet the total demand as each had spare capacity. He added that the two companies had agreed to provide mutual emergency support, while the city also imported electricity from mainland China. Ho also said the firms could use drones to inspect overhead power cables alongside smart systems to manage energy flows. HK Electric, which supplies electricity to Hong Kong and Lamma islands, said the hot weather had not affected its operations. “The electricity consumption pattern has remained broadly in line with those of typical summers,” a spokesman said. CLP Power said it had observed an increase in electricity demand compared with the same period last year. But the firm stressed that it had sufficient generation and reserve capacity to meet customer demand. “CLP closely monitors weather conditions and operational data, and conducts around-the-clock monitoring of network loading and equipment conditions,” it said. The high temperatures also led KMB drivers and passengers to complain online about the bus company’s practice of setting air conditioning to 26 degrees with weak airflow. “Crazy. It is so hot now and taking the bus is like going to a sauna!” one social media user said. “Warning! Don’t take KMB these days! I couldn’t stand the heat and got off in the middle,” another wrote. The Staff Rights Association of KMB said on Tuesday that the company had agreed to lower the air-conditioning temperature settings to 24 degrees and maximise the airflow. “But the association is of the view that it is only the first step to improve our staff’s working environment,” it said. “More importantly, the company has to ensure that the air conditioners on all vehicles function well with sufficient ventilation, and constantly monitor compartment temperatures.” KMB said it was adjusting settings across its entire fleet in response to the extreme and constant heat. “Since it involves the whole fleet, it will take some time to complete the relevant work, and [we will] complete it as soon as possible,” the firm said.

Higher energy demand from Hong Kong heatwave could trigger outages, expert warns

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Funeral industry worker says outage at parlour forced staff ‘to carry bodies up stairs’ and ask mourners ‘not to light incense’

Funeral industry worker says outage at parlour forced staff ‘to carry bodies up stairs’ and ask mourners ‘not to light incense’