Electricity Subsidy Scheme

The Government announced in 2008, 2011 and 2012 the provision of a maximum total subsidy of $7,200 to each residential electricity account. The sum was fully credited to relevant accounts from September 2008 to August 2009 and from July 2011 to June 2013.

In February 2013, the Government announced that it would further provide a maximum subsidy of $1,800 to each residential electricity account having regard to the uncertain external economic outlook and the continued risk of rising inflation. A monthly electricity charges subsidy of $150 will be credited to each domestic tariff electricity account registered with CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) and The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric) on the first day of each month from July 2013 to June 2014.

The subsidy can only be used for paying electricity charges. Any unused subsidy can be carried forward to pay billed electricity charges under the same account until 30 June 2016 or the close of the account (whichever is earlier).

Approved Commitment: $22.3 billion
2012-13 Actual Expenditure: $4.2 billion

Example

1. HK Electric customers (Monthly billing)

If there is no government subsidy, Mr A will be billed $200 and $120 in July and August, 2013 respectively. After the credit, the following information will be shown on his electricity bills:

2. CLP customers (Bimonthly billing)

If there is no government subsidy, Mr B will be billed $400 and $240 in August and October, 2013 respectively. After the credit, the following information will be shown on his electricity bills:

Reference Questions and Answers

	Who will be eligible for the subsidy?
	In general, registered residential electricity accounts are eligible for the subsidy.
	Will accounts with unused subsidy provided since September 2008 be granted the subsidy announced in February 2013?
	All residential electricity accounts, including accounts with unused subsidy will be granted the subsidy.
	Will tenants of service apartments be eligible for the subsidy?
	The mode of collecting electricity charges varies in different service apartments. While electricity charges are covered by the rental for some service apartments, some tenants are required to pay the charges to the landlords (instead of the electricity companies). As to whether the tenant of a service apartment is eligible for the subsidy, it will be subject to factors such as having a "separate electricity meter of an electricity company" installed in that apartment, holding a residential electricity account for the power supply, as well as the agreement between the tenant and the landlord.
	If the electricity account relates to a leased unit, who (the tenant or the landlord) will receive the subsidy?
	The subsidy will reduce the amount of electricity charges demanded in the electricity bills. As to who will be enjoying the subsidy, this depends on the agreement between the tenant and the landlord. Generally speaking, if the tenant of the leased unit is the holder of such an electricity account, he/she only needs to pay the adjusted amount shown on the bill. If the account is registered in the name of the landlord but the tenant is required to pay the amounts as shown on the electricity company’s bills under the agreement, he/she can enjoy the subsidy in the same way.
	Will tenants living in bedspace apartments and cubicles be eligible for the subsidy?
	The subsidy will reduce the amount of electricity charges demanded in the electricity bills. As to who will be enjoying the subsidy, this depends on the agreement between the tenant and the landlord.
	Will the subsidy cover vacant flats with registered meters?
	In general, properties identified as new residential flats still owned by developers will not be granted the subsidy. However, the subsidy will cover other vacant flats due to the technical difficulty in identifying them.
	When will the subsidy announced in 2013 be granted?
	The subsidy will be granted from July 2013 to June 2014. The two electricity companies will credit the subsidy of $150 to each registered residential electricity account on the first day of each month within the period.
	If a customer closes his account before 30 June 2016 due to removal or other reasons, can the unused portion of the credited subsidy under the account be transferred to another account or converted to cash?
	On account close, the unused portion of the credited subsidy cannot be used further nor converted to cash.
	If there is a change in the registered account holder in the middle of the month during the period of crediting the subsidy, will the subsidy be credited to the new and old accounts on a pro-rata basis?
	No, the registered account holder as at the first of the month will be entitled to the full $150 credit.
	If a customer closes an account on the first day of a month and another opens a new one on the same day for the same meter, which account will be given the subsidy?
	The new account will be given the subsidy.
	During the credit period, will new registered accounts be entitled to the credit for the month immediately?
	If the new account exists on the first day of the month, it will be credited the subsidy amount for the same month. If the account comes into existence on the second day or following days of the month, the account will be credited the subsidy from the next month. Accounts opened after the last credit day (i.e. 1 June 2014) will not be entitled to any credit.
	Will the subsidy be granted in the form of cash?
	No.
	Can the subsidy be used for paying deposits?
	No.

CLP's Customer Service Hotline: 2678 2678

HK Electric's Customer Service Hotline: 2887 3411

June 2013