Our Responsibility

Without years of support from our shareholders, the Company could not have grown to its present size. We maintain strong corporate governance, a steady financial position and a prudent investment profile. Regular meetings, press releases and visits to station facilities also aim at increasing our transparency as well as our shareholders' understanding of the Company.

Strong Corporate Governance

The Company is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance that comply with the "Code on Corporate Governance Practices". This is set out in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Our ability to attract investment, protect the rights of shareholders and other stakeholders, and enhance shareholder value comes from the reliable, effective and transparent operation of our business. This is underpinned by the corporate governance practices adopted. More details are available at the Power Assets in Brief - Corporate Governance section of this report and our Annual Report.

The Company has a well established organisational structure with defined levels of responsibility and authority and detailed reporting procedures. Our management team sets objectives, policies and performance targets for the management of identified key risks. The internal control system is further used to provide assurance against risks or loss.

Stable Return

The Scheme of Control Agreement offers the Company a long term stable return on our investment in Hong Kong. The current agreement was signed on 1 January 2009 and runs until 2018 with provision for a five-year extension by the Hong Kong Government. While maintaining our investment in Hong Kong, we have been exploring opportunities in power and utility-related businesses outside Hong Kong in order to continue to expand our investment portfolio. This has resulted in the increasing profit contribution with earnings outside Hong Kong now accounting for 35% of total group contribution in 2010, compared with less than 10% in 2000.

We expanded our portfolio in the United Kingdom in 2010 by acquiring 40% interest in UK Power Networks, which is the country's largest electricity distributor, as well as 25% interest in Seabank Power. The revenue from our other investments, such as our Mainland China power station projects and Australian network operations, remained satisfactory. With investments in six countries now, our earnings from operations outside Hong Kong are anticipated to continue to grow over the next few years. Shareholders can expect to benefit from the certainty and stability of our business growth.

Shareholder Visits

To thank shareholders for their support and to keep them abreast of the latest company developments, we organise monthly shareholder visits to Lamma Power Station. In 2010, 24 tours were organised for about 960 shareholders and friends. Positive feedback was received from shareholders who responded to surveys after visits, saying that the visits were valuable opportunities for them to learn more about the Company.

Almost 1,000 shareholders and friends have visited Lamma Power Station in 2010.

Annual General Meeting

Each shareholder's direct influence over the Company is exercised at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the AGM on 6 May 2010, a final dividend of $1.49 per share was declared for 2010. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) are also held if and when necessary to approve major investments. In 2010, an EGM on the joint venture acquisition of EDF Energy PLC's UK electricity network activities was held on 9 September 2010 during which shareholders' approval was obtained.

Our Chairman, Mr. Fok Kin-ning, addresses the Annual General Meeting.