Companhia de Electricidade de Macau - CEM, S.A. (CEM) held a Media Spring Lunch at MGM Macau on 22^nd February 2019, inviting leaders and front-line reporters from local media industry to jointly celebrate the Year of the Pig as well as to express gratitude for their support over the past year. Lucky draws and interactive game were held during the lunch. The atmosphere was lively and festive.

Attending guests include Bernie Leong, Chairman of CEM Executive Committee; Benjamin Yue, Principal Advisor to CEM Executive Committee; Jane Leong, Director of Customer Services Department; Billy Chan, Director of Transmission and Distribution Department; Evan Liu, Director of Power and Networks Dispatch Department and Edmond Etchri, Director of Generation Department.

Before the lunch, Bernie Leong, Chairman of CEM Executive Committee reviewed CEM’s performance in the past year and introduced its plans for the coming year to the media. Macau’s gross energy consumption reached 5,528 GWh in 2018, rising 2.8% year-on-year. Average Service Availability Index (ASAI) reached 99.9998%, allowing CEM to take the lead worldwide in terms of power supply service level. As for energy source mix, electricity imported from mainland China accounted for approximately 90% of Macau's total energy consumption, while local power generation and electricity purchased from the Macau Refuse Incineration Plant took up the remaining percentage.

Investment in Macau's power supply network infrastructure is closely related to the future of the region. To further improve the reliability of power supply and strengthen the transmission and distribution network, an amount of up to MOP 1.4 billion was spent in 2018. In particular, about 80% was used for the expansion and maintenance of the transmission and distribution network.

To optimize the typhoon response mechanism and improve relevant measures, CEM learnt from Typhoon Hato and implemented a series of flood control and improvement measures. These measures include raising customer substations, low-voltage distribution boxes and potheads, optimizing the structure of medium-voltage ring, as well as installing flood barriers and flood alarm systems. When Typhoon Mangkhut hit Macau, CEM took the initiative to suspend power supply in low-lying areas to ensure citizens’ safety, protect power supply facilities and shorten power restoration time. CEM is currently improving its measures to comprehensively enhance the disaster prevention ability and resilience of the power facilities in Macau during typhoons.

On the other hand, CEM has always paid close attention to the renovation and transformation of power equipment in old districts, and support from the residents are required on the modification of customers’ power facilities. To this end, CEM revised the technical specifications for existing power installations in 2018. New buildings’ electrical installations in low-lying areas must be installed above the flood-protection level set by the Government. CEM has held a number of seminars to introduce related amendments to professional groups.

Furthermore, CEM has been actively supporting Macau SAR Government’s efforts on promoting green mobility by continuing to expand the electric vehicle (EV) charging network. 50 EV charging stations were added recently, among which 20 are outdoors. At present, there are a total of 172 EV charging spaces in Macau, covering 70% of the public car parks. In addition to minimizing the need to modify the building's public electrical installations due to inadequate power setting, parking spaces in new buildings are required to be equipped with EV charging facilities, including special distribution boxes, cable trays, cables and sockets, etc., which helps to promote the use of EV.

To optimize online customer service experience, an EV section has been added to CEM’s eService App. The original EV card is replaced by the mobile phone App. The new “cardless charging process” is more intelligent. The entire charging process is operated through the mobile phone, including activation of the charger, starting and stopping of the charging process, enquiry about the charging status and records, as well as reporting charging accidents, which can be convenient to users. CEM has also set up an official WeChat account. Customers only need to follow CEM’s account and bind their electricity bills or e-Service account to receive customer service at any time and the company’s latest activity information.

Looking forward to 2019, CEM will continue investing in major infrastructure projects to bolster the city’s development. To tie in with the smart city development, CEM will continue to partner with the Government to optimize EV charging facilities, gradually push ahead the smart metering infrastructure, support the Government on the common services tunnel project and promote the implementation of grid-connected photovoltaic generation systems. The installation of smart streetlights at Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, University of Macau Hengqin Campus and Avenida da Amizade on a pilot basis will be completed in early 2019.

Environmental protection and artificial intelligence have become the mega trend. CEM will strive to become “paperless”, such as using electronic contracts and signatures in customer services. At the same time, CEM launches Chatbot to instantly respond to customer requests around the clock. CEM will also optimize meter reading and regular checking process, including GPS function, potential hazard warnings and performance monitoring.

The development plan for the Greater Bay Area clearly states that green and low-carbon energy should be developed vigorously, and the utilization of natural gas and renewable energy should be accelerated. In the future, CEM will spare no effort to cope with the development strategy of Macau SAR Government to comprehensively build a world-class clean, low-carbon, safe and highly-efficient energy system.