************************************************************
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited the Netherlands yesterday (March 5, Amsterdam time) to exchange views with local officials and experts on environmental issues and see for himself the latest developments of thermal waste treatment facilities in the city.
While in Amsterdam, Mr Wong first visited the Afval Energie Bedrijf Waste Fired Power Plant, the world's largest waste-to-energy plant, which treats 4 400 tonnes of waste per day using the moving grate technology. The proposed waste-to-energy facility in Shek Kwu Chau, Hong Kong, is planned to treat 3 000 tonnes of waste per day using the moving grate technology.
During his tour of the facility, Mr Wong learned about how the plant generates energy and heat for the city, and extracts metals for recycling after waste treatment.
Mr Wong then attended a luncheon meeting with the Vice Mayor of Amsterdam, Ms Carolien Gehrels, and other officials during which both sides exchanged views on environmental issues of mutual concern.
In the afternoon, Mr Wong proceeded to the Hague to meet with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Mr Siebe Riedstra, and local environmental experts to learn about the waste management policy in the Netherlands and exchange views on various environmental issues, including waste treatment infrastructure.
Mr Wong departed for Copenhagen, Denmark, in the evening.
Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:37
NNNN
