ENG-2018 — Page 295

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The Environment

renewable-energy installations at government premises and infrastructure. The government is exploring the installation of large solar photovoltaic systems at suitable reservoirs and landfills.

Both power companies adopt the use of renewable energy. HK Electric operates an 800kW wind turbine on Lamma and a 1MW thin film photovoltaic system at Lamma Power Station, while CLP Power runs a 200kW renewable-energy generation system of solar panels and wind turbines on Town Island in Sai Kung. In 2018, the government and the two power companies introduced a Feed-in Tariff Scheme under the post-2018 Scheme of Control Agreements to encourage the private sector to invest in distributable renewable energy.

Energy-efficient Buildings

Buildings account for about 90 per cent of the electricity consumed, so promoting their efficient use of energy is paramount to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Building Energy Code under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance stipulates the minimum energy efficiency standards for major installations, including air conditioning, electrical installations, lighting, lifts and escalators. It requires commercial buildings to conduct energy audits every 10 years. Energy savings from all new buildings are expected to total about 5 billion kWh by 2025.

The government takes the lead to save energy in buildings. It is working to save 5 per cent of electricity use in government buildings from 2015-16 to 2019-20 under operating conditions comparable to 2013-14. To achieve this target, energy audits for about 340 major government buildings have been completed, and at least $900 million earmarked to implement energy- saving projects identified in the audits. The government saved 4.9 per cent of electricity use in the first three years and is on track to meet the target in 2018-19. For private buildings, the capital expenditure incurred in buying renewable-energy installations and building energy- efficiency installations is eligible, starting from the 2018-19 year of assessment, for a full tax deduction in the first year of purchase instead of having the tax cut spread over five years.

Retro-commissioning is a cost-effective and useful means of saving energy in existing buildings. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department organises seminars to help building owners and relevant trades carry out retro-commissioning. In 2018, it published technical guidelines and launched an online resources centre.

Under the post-2018 agreements, the power companies will promote energy efficiency and conservation. Each company manages its own energy-efficiency fund to support the retrofitting and retro-commissioning of private buildings. In 2018, the companies increased the amounts in their funds and extended the coverage to a wider range of buildings.

Pollution Prevention

Air Pollution

The government is working to improve air quality with a view to broadly attaining its air quality objectives by 2020. The EPD completed a review of the objectives in 2018 and will consult the public on the review outcome.

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