The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) received on October 19 (New Orleans time) from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) the Innovative Energy Project of the Year for the Asia-Pacific Rim region, in recognition of the EMSD's outstanding performance in promoting the development of renewable energy through the Solar Harvest scheme. This is the third time that the EMSD has received awards from the AEE, having previously been awarded in 2017 and 2019.
 
     To implement the initiative to promote the development of renewable energy announced in the Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address, the EMSD launched the Solar Harvest scheme in 2019 under which the department provides eligible schools and welfare non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a one-stop service installing solar energy generation systems for free. Since the scheme was launched almost three years ago, the EMSD has received over 600 applications and installed solar energy generation systems at more than 230 schools and welfare NGOs. It is estimated that these installed systems can generate more than 2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption of about 7 500 families. Furthermore, participating schools and welfare NGOs can make good use of the solar energy generation systems installed to enrich their teaching and services, with a view to fueling the interest of students and young people in exploring science and promoting low-carbon living.
 
     The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Eric Pang, said in the award presentation ceremony through video, "Receiving this remarkable award is a recognition of our strategy and performance outcome. The EMSD will continue to implement various renewable energy development plans to strive to achieve the carbon neutrality pledge before 2050. I am sure that with the concerted effort made by society, Hong Kong will be a more low-carbon, greener and more liveable world-class city."
 
     Like other cities, Hong Kong is facing challenges brought by climate change. The Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address last year that Hong Kong would strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To achieve this target, the Government announced Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 earlier this month, setting out the vision of "Zero-carbon Emissions‧Liveable City‧Sustainable Development", and outlining the strategies and measures for combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. These include driving the development of renewable energy, for example, striving to increase its share in the fuel mix for electricity generation to 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent by 2035 and to 15 per cent gradually thereafter through facilitating local public and private projects on renewable energy, including solar energy, wind energy and waste-to-energy, regional co-operation and innovation and technology.
 
     A number of other organisations in Hong Kong also received awards from the AEE. The energy saving solution in gas dehumidification system implemented by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited was given the Innovative Energy Project of the Year International Award. The collaboration project among CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong Observatory was awarded the Energy Project of the Year Award for the Asia-Pacific Rim region. The EMSD welcomes more organisations to participate in energy saving and development of renewable energy, and join hands to strive towards carbon neutrality.

Ends/Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Issued at HKT 10:00

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