ENG-2014 — Page 294

14

The Environment

programmes and initiatives to promote efficient use of energy, including a number of voluntary energy efficiency labelling and registration schemes; encouraging use of water-cooled air- conditioning systems and promoting effective energy management methods.

The Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme requires prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong to bear energy labels informing consumers of the products' energy efficiency performance. The scheme currently covers room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances, compact fluorescent lamps, washing machines and dehumidifiers. New grading standards. announced in October 2014 for room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances and washing machines will be implemented in November 2015, saving annually an estimated 300 million kilowatt-hours in electricity consumption and $300 million in electricity expenses.

The government's district cooling system (DCS) at the Kai Tak Development provides chilled water to non-domestic developments for air-conditioning. It is an energy-efficient system which consumes 35 per cent less electricity compared with traditional air-cooled air- conditioning systems. Phases I and II have been completed while Phase III (Package A) is under construction.

The government recognises the importance of promoting the use of renewable energy and Hong Kong's two power companies are making progress in their attempts to use clean energy to produce electricity. HEC has operated a wind turbine on Lamma Island since 2006. In 2013, CLP Power commissioned the stage 2 photovoltaic system on Town Island in Sai Kung and HEC completed an extension to its thin film photovoltaic system at Lamma Power Station. Both companies are conducting feasibility studies for off-shore wind farm projects.

Energy Efficient Buildings

As buildings account for about 90 per cent of electricity consumed, promoting their efficient use of energy is instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. New buildings and existing buildings undergoing major retrofitting works are required to comply with the Building Energy Code mandated under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance implemented in 2012. It stipulates the minimum energy efficiency standards for major building services installations including air-conditioning, electrical installations, lighting, and lift and escalator installations. Commercial buildings are also required to conduct energy audits at least every 10 years. For new buildings, the implementation of the ordinance in the first 10 years is expected to save 2.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and hence cut about 1.96 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Pollution Prevention

Air Pollution

The EPD has taken action to reduce emissions from local air pollution sources to improve air quality. Between 1997 and 2012, emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), respirable suspended particulates (RSP) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the territory have dropped by 23 per cent to 60 per cent.

238