Natural gas to play bigger role

Macao would start using natural gas to generate power by the end of 2007 and introduce natural gas vehicles for public transportation by 2008, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Ao Man Long, said today. Speaking after officiating an international conference on energy conservation and renewable energies, Mr Ao reiterated that the Government paid much attention to the stability of the electricity supply. He revealed that negotiations to increase electricity supply from the China Southern Power Grid was underway, and that the company that earlier succeeded its bid for the licence to supply natural gas to Macao was working on the preparations. After successfully bringing natural gas into the Government's portfolio of energy supply, Macao would study the feasibility of using natural gas vehicles for public transportation in order to contribute to environmental protection and improve the air quality, he said. Asked by journalists on the schedule for introducing a rapid transit system, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works said that the Government would soon publish a revised proposal for public consultation.