Hong Kong has saved about $330 million last year by reducing total power consumption through the implementation of energy saving programmes.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao told the Legislative Council today the Government's effort in managing energy demand is mainly focused on reducing consumption by encouraging people to use more efficient equipment.

The Government also encourages consumers to even out demand over different hours of a day to optimise the efficiency of electricity generation, transmission and distribution facilities.

Apart from educational and promotional programmes that raise public awareness, Dr Liao said the Government is implementing a wide range of programmes that directly or indirectly help reduce overall energy consumption.

The major initiatives include:

* the Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, which equips consumers with energy consumption information of various products to help them make informed choices;

* promoting water-cooled air-conditioning systems, which are more efficient than air-cooled ones;

* the Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings, underpinned by five sets of Building Energy Codes, is a voluntary registration scheme that encourages innovative energy efficiency design in commercial buildings; and,

* Government departments and bureaux are encouraged to set a good example and reduce energy consumption as far as possible.

In parallel, she said the Government entered into a three-year Demand Side Management Agreement with each power company in May 2000.

The rebate programmes under the agreement provide financial incentives to encourage non-residential users to install more energy efficient equipment and devices to shift part of the electricity demand to non-peak hours.