Hong Kong and China Gas

In 1862, long before the city became a bustling metropolis, a British entrepreneur named William Glen secured a concession to light the streets of Hong Kong. This marked the birth of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company, or Towngas, the city's first public utility. Initially, the company used coal to produce gas, powering 500 street lamps across 24 kilometers of pipeline. The company was registered in London, and for decades, key decisions were made from afar. A pivotal moment came in 1954 when local firm Wheelock and Marden purchased a majority stake, shifting the company's center of gravity to Hong Kong. The company went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1960. Another significant transition occurred in the 1980s when Henderson Investment, led by Lee Shau Kee, became the majority shareholder. Under local leadership, Towngas expanded its reach and services. In 1994, the company ventured into mainland China, a move that would define its modern growth story. It established numerous joint ventures, expanding its gas distribution network to millions of customers across the country. Today, Towngas is not just a gas company; it has diversified into renewable energy, including hydrogen and green methanol, and is a major player in the energy landscape of both Hong Kong and mainland China.