Key Government Renewable Energy Projects

In accordance with the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 promulgated in October 2021, the Government is grappling with Hong Kong’s geographical and environmental constraints in driving the development of Renewable Energy (RE), and strive to increase its share in the fuel mix for electricity generation to 7.5% to 10% by 2035, and further increase it to 15% subsequently through facilitating local RE projects, regional cooperation and joint ventures, etc.

What are Government’s existing RE projects?

In recent years, the Government has applied innovative technology to develop RE projects in various suitable premises.

Regarding solar energy, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has installed floating solar energy generation systems of 100 kilowatts (kW) each at Shek Pik Reservoir, Plover Cove Reservoir and Tai Lam Chung Reservoir to explore the potential of installing floating solar systems at reservoirs for electricity generation; whereas the Drainage Services Department (DSD) has installed in phases high-efficiency thin-film solar energy generation systems on the curved sedimentation tank covers at Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works which occupy an area of about 30  000 m² to supply electricity for the plant. Besides, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) commissioned a 150 kW solar system at Jordan Valley Landfill in February 2023. The system is the first of its kind on a restored land-fill in Hong Kong with a view to making better use of vacant land and promoting the sustainability of restored landfills.

Floating solar energy generation system at Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

Thin-film solar energy generation system at Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works

As regards waste-to-energy, the Food Waste/Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Co-digestion Trial Scheme, jointly launched by the DSD and the EPD at Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works receives food waste for food waste/sewage sludge anaerobic co-digestion. Under this trial scheme, up to 50 tonnes of food waste can be treated per day, and the energy to be generated annually is estimated to be about 950 000 kilowatt-hours (kWh).  The Government has also put into operation O·PARK1 and T·PARK to generate surplus electricity from organic waste and sludge for export to the grid respectively, which will serve as good reference for the Government’s planning of other waste-to-energy facilities in future.

Food waste and sewage sludge anaerobic co-digestion facility at Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works

T · PARK in Tuen Mun was fully commissioned in April 2016 and is currently the largest waste-to-energy generator in Hong Kong.  The heat energy generated from the incineration process is recovered and turned into electricity that can support the needs of the entire facility.  When running at full capacity, it can produce up to 2 megawatts (MW) of surplus electricity for the public power grid, which is an impeccable example of waste-to-energy in action.

O·PARK1 in North Lantau was commissioned in 2018 to transform organic waste into biogas and compost. Biogas is utilised to generate electricity and about 14 million kWh of surplus electricity can be exported to the public power grid when running in full capacity.

In addition, the Government has also earmarked HK$3 billion in total since the 2017-18 financial year for the installation of small-scale RE facilities at government buildings, venues and facilities with about 170 projects under implementation, which can generate about 25 million kWh of electricity per annum.

Floating solar energy generation systems on Shek Pik Reservoir

Solar powered lamps at Sai Kung Outdoor Recreational Centre

Solar energy generation systems at Airport Police Station

If you want to find out more about existing Government RE projects, you may refer to the HK RE Net of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD).

What are Government’s coming RE projects?

The Government will continue lead by example in optimising the favourable conditions of premises and developing RE, including raising the requirements of applying RE technologies in new government buildings, and developing large-scale solar energy generation and waste-to-energy projects at suitable venues.  For instance, WSD plans to install a large-scale floating solar energy generation system with a generation capacity of about 5 MW at Plover Cove Reservoir.  DSD is also exploring the feasibility of installing floating or other appropriate types of solar energy generation systems in suitable water bodies through pilots at places like San Tin Polder.

Floating solar energy generation system at San Tin Polder

We are also actively exploring the installation of solar energy generation systems at restored landfills.  For instance, EPD and WSD will launch a pilot scheme on solar energy generation of about 1MW and a solar farm with a generation capacity of about 10 MW at the South East New Territories Landfill in Tseung Kwan O respectively.

In parallel, the Government is taking forward other waste-to-energy facilities.  O·PARK2 located in Sha Ling, North District is under construction and is expected to be commissioned in 2024, with a treatment capacity of 300 tonnes of food waste per day. O·PARK2 will adopt advanced technologies to convert food waste into biogas and fertilizer.  In addition to providing electricity and heat for its own facilities, the surplus biogas will be used for production of electricity.  About 24 million kWh surplus electricity can be generated annually, sufficient for use by 5 000 households.

I·PARK1 is under construction on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau, with an aim of commissioning the facility in 2025. The facility will use advanced moving grate incineration technology to treat up to 3 000 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day.  Once I·PARK1 is in full operation, energy recovered from the waste will generate surplus electricity of 480 million kWh annually, sufficient for use by 100 000 households.

Further information, data and statistics on RE

As part of the Government’s on-going efforts to promote RE, the EMSD publishes on its HK RE Net some useful information on RE, including the application of different RE technologies in Hong Kong and overseas, existing RE projects being operated by the Government and the private sector, as well as the relevant statistical information.  Please visit HK RE Net.