【明報專訊】THE two power companies have announced price hikes for next year, with increases of 5.8% to 7% in net electricity tariffs. Had the Tariff Stabilisation Fund not been deployed to offset some pressure of price increases, the rise would have been even more staggering. The prolonged pandemic has upset supply chains, leading to a sharp rise in fuel prices and triggered inflation expectations. From electricity tariffs to transportation fees, many daily expenditures are under inflation pressure. As the government's electricity subsidy of $1,000 for residential households will soon expire, if no more relief measures are announced, the actual burden on citizens will be even heavier. Because of the phasing out of coal power to reduce the city's carbon emissions, the companies have to gradually replace their electric generators. The construction of the Lantau Tomorrow Vision project and the Northern Metropolis will also require huge investments by the two power companies to expand the power grid. One can therefore foresee an inevitable trend of continuous electricity tariff hikes. The authorities have to plan forward to stabilise the tariffs, for example, by implementing different charges for different time slots and encouraging industrial and commercial users to stagger their operations as a way to lower the load demand on generators. The introduction of more nuclear power can also be considered. At the same time, the government should also adjust the arrangements for controlling the two companies' profits, so as to ease the burden of electricity tariffs on people.