Hong Kong – Eight more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
Eight more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said that the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (Working Group) led by the EEB has given agreement-in-principle to eight more applications of trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology at its meeting today (April 25).
The relevant projects involve:
(a) an application jointly submitted by International New Energy Industry Alliance Limited, Wing Tat Cargo & Trading (HK) Limited, H2 Powertrains Limited and Ontime International Logistics (HK) Co Limited, to try out 10 hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport;
(b) an application submitted by Wilson Logistics Limited to try out two HFC goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport;
(c) an application submitted by Kam Wai Tourist Bus (HK) Company Limited to try out two HFC coaches for local passenger services;
(d) an application jointly submitted by China Travel Tours Transportation Services HK Ltd, Allenbus Automotive Technology Co Limited and REFIRE Hong Kong Limited to try out two HFC coaches for cross-boundary passenger services;
(e) an application submitted by Affluent Coach Services Company Limited to test out two HFC coaches for local passenger services;
(f) an application jointly submitted by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and CIMC Enric Hong Kong Limited, which involves provision of electricity with hydrogen power generation equipment for charging electric vehicles at a commercial building in North Point;
(g) an application jointly submitted by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and the Hong Kong Housing Society, which involves extracting hydrogen from the existing towngas network at a construction site in Shau Kei Wan to generate electricity for charging electric vehicles and providing electricity for the site office; and
(h) an application jointly submitted by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, which involves extracting hydrogen from the existing towngas network at Hong Kong Science Park to generate electricity for charging electric vehicles.
The spokesperson for the EEB stated,
The Working Group has promptly initiated the examination process upon receipt of detailed information of the trial projects.
“Following the applicants’ enhancement on the designs and technical details according to feedback from government departments to ensure that the trial projects can be carried out smoothly and safely, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle to the eight applications at its meeting today.”
To date, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle in stages to a total of 26 applications of hydrogen energy trial projects. Among them, the three HFC street washing vehicles from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have passed the examination with the Certificate of Roadworthiness issued, and Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited has completed all commissioning and testing for the public hydrogen filling station at Au Tau, Yuen Long. The operational trials are expected to be launched in the first half of this year.
The Working Group will continue to make reference to the operational data and experience collected from all local trials, in order to provide advice for the continuous enhancement of the safety and technical guidelines on the local application of hydrogen energy.
The spokesman said,
The Government announced the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong (the Strategy) in June last year, establishing an action timeline across five key areas: regulatory framework, standards formulation, supporting infrastructure, regional co-operation, and capacity building.
“At the meeting, the EEB and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) briefed the Working Group on the latest implementation progress of the Strategy, including introducing the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2025 to the Legislative Council to incorporate safety regulations for hydrogen fuel, taking forward the consultancy study on establishing a green and low-carbon hydrogen certification standard, setting up safety training courses for hydrogen technology professionals, stepping up publicity and education work and promote local, regional, and international collaboration on hydrogen energy development, including organising science popularisation activities and seminars (such as the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2025 held this year). The Working Group will continue to regularly review the progress of the Strategy and provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of its various measures.”
The spokesman supplemented,
To promote the green transformation of transport, the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced the earmarking of funding under the New Energy Transport Fund to launch a new Subsidy Scheme for Trials of HFC Heavy Vehicles.
“The EEB has announced the acceptance of applications in December last year.”
The spokesman further supplemented,
The Government is also committed to promoting hydrogen development through regional collaboration.
“The working plan of the Pearl River Delta Air Quality Management and Monitoring Special Panel under the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection and Combating Climate Change covers demonstration projects of cross-boundary delivery vehicles transiting into HFC vehicles. Moreover, the liaisons between the EMSD and the State Administration for Market Regulation as well as the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China on the technical level, and the EEB’s exchanges with the Mainland authorities regarding exchanges involving hydrogen development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, have all been making good progress.”
The Working Group is formed by the EEB, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the EMSD, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Marine Department, the Planning Department, the Lands Department, the Buildings Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Labour Department.
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Hong Kong – Eight more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel, source
