LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs Visits Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre of Hongkong Electric

LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre of Hongkong Electric

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre (IOERC) of Hongkong Electric Co., Limited (HEC) in North Point today (November 10) to gain insight into the company's latest technologies and measures for strengthening the resilience of its electricity supply.

Members first received a briefing from representatives of HEC on the operation of the IOERC, as well as how it leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative technologies to enhance the company's power supply reliabilities, system resilience and response capabilities.

The IOERC, established in June this year, has integrated monitoring platforms scattered in various departments for centralised management. The IOERC utilises an AI-enabled remote monitoring system, Smart Grid@HK Electric, to monitor the operation of about 50 substations at real time. Members learnt that this system enables engineering teams to predict flooding risks and respond to abnormal situations promptly. Members also exchanged views with representatives of HEC on matters such as further strengthening the reliability of its overall power supply, locating faulty cables more accurately and restoring power more efficiently.

Members were next briefed on HEC's decarbonisation work. They noted that the power company's new gas-fired generating unit, L13, will be put into operation in 2029, which will increase its electricity output from natural gas to about 80 per cent from the current 70 per cent, further reducing carbon emission. Members also learnt that HEC had been undertaking environmental measures at Lamma Power Station, for example, planting native trees to attract birds, and applying new technologies to minimise impacts on nearby water bodies and marine life, to protect biodiversity.

Before concluding the visit, Members toured HEC's Customer Centre to observe services provided by the company, such as electricity accounts inspection and technical enquiry services.

A total of 14 members and non-members of the Panel participated in the visit.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre of Hongkong Electric Co., Limited (HEC) in North Point today (November 10). Photo shows the Chairman of the Panel on Environmental Affairs, Ms Judy Chan (front row, fifth right), other LegCo Members and representatives of HEC at HEC's Customer Centre. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre of Hongkong Electric Co., Limited (HEC) in North Point today (November 10). Photo shows Members receiving a briefing from representatives of HEC on the artificial intelligence and innovative technologies the company is leveraging to enhance its power supply reliabilities, system resilience and response capabilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre of Hongkong Electric Co., Limited (HEC) in North Point today (November 10). Photo shows Members visiting HEC's Customer Centre. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the Intelligent Operations and Emergency Responses Centre (IOERC) of Hongkong Electric Co., Limited in North Point today (November 10). Photo shows Members visiting the IOERC. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Sexual Offences Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted on Friday

The Government will publish the Sexual Offences Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2026 (the Bill) in the Gazette on Friday (November 13).

A spokesperson for the Security Bureau today (November 11) said, "The Bill aims to achieve two policy objectives, namely, strengthening protection for victims of sexual offences, and modernising the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong to keep pace with the times.

"At present, many of the sexual offences in Hong Kong are based on similar provisions in the laws of England enacted in 1956. Over the years, social perceptions related to sexual offences have been evolving. We also notice that there are inadequacies in the existing sexual offence provisions. For instance, some offences are gender-specific, resulting in a narrow scope; some provisions carry distinctions based on sexual orientation; some offences lack consistency on treatments across genders; the provisions and penalties of some sexual offences are not fully commensurate with the gravity of relevant acts; and some terminology used in some provisions is outdated. The Government considers it necessary to review and improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong, so as to address the inadequacies of the current provisions and respond to changes in social perceptions related to sexual offences."

The spokesperson said, "The range of legislative amendment proposals is based on the coverage and recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in its review of relevant legislation, and on the study of developments in relevant legislation in other major common law jurisdictions (including Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, Scotland and Singapore), covering different areas including non-consensual sexual offences, sexual offences involving children and persons with mental impairment, miscellaneous sexual offences, and other related amendments proposed to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences.

"We consulted the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on July 7 on the Government's legislative amendment proposal, and received its full support. We also conducted a one-month public consultation exercise from July 7 to August 5, with a total of 6228 written submissions received. Among them, 99.3 per cent (6182 written submissions) showed support and made positive comments, fully reflecting that the legislative amendment proposal has gained wide support from the community."

The spokesperson added, "Our legislative amendment proposal has also incorporated suggestions received by the Government during the public consultation exercise, including the creation of a new offence to deal with perpetrators' criminal acts of prolonged and repeated sexual abuse against children. We will also criminalise the cybercrime of 'cyberflashing' through the refinement of provisions."

The spokesperson emphasised, "We hope to improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong, the earlier the better, to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences while ensuring that the laws on sexual offences can keep pace with the times."

The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo on November 25 for First Reading and Second Reading, with the target of completing the legislative exercise within the current term of Government.