HK Electric boosts renewable energy utilization

Twelve exciting ideas that encourage students to make creative and good use of renewable energy were awarded by the HK Electric Clean Energy Fund. It includes one which harnesses solar energy to power an organic farm of Chinese herbs.

The projects from seven primary and five secondary schools will be launched on school campus in the next 12 months. Apart from the organic farm, a green road safety town, a "micro-wind farm" as well as a hybrid solar lighting system which uses optical fibre for sunlight transmission will also be installed.

Mr. Tso Kai-sum, Managing Director of HK Electric, said the projects demonstrated a high level of creativity and good educational value.

"We received more than 50 applications this year, which is the highest since the Fund was established in 2006. We are pleased to know that schools have strived to incorporate new elements into their projects to help boost students' interest in learning," Mr. Tso said, citing the sunlight collector system to be set up by SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School.

"Unlike other solar systems that have been set up in school campus, this school is going to make use of optical fibre to transmit sunlight to the classroom so as to reduce energy consumption. This is a creative project and likely to draw students' attention," he added.

Over the past three years, HK Electric Clean Energy Fund has funded 36 projects for RE installation on school campus around the territory. Wind and solar energy are the most common forms, with a total installed capacity reaching over 4,500W and 8,300W respectively.

The Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr. Leung Chun-ying, said at the ceremony that HK Electric Clean Energy Fund encourages teenagers to use clean energy and heightens students’ awareness of the environment. He called on everyone in the community to play a part in protecting the environment and to build a greener Hong Kong.

Mr. Tso said that HK Electric supports the wider use of renewable energy in Hong Kong, the Company is now studying the possibility of building an offshore wind farm in HK waters. The Environmental Impact Assessment report is nearing completion and will be submitted to the Government before end of the year.