Energy

Mission

To ensure reliable supplies of energy at reasonable prices, promote its efficient and safe use, and at the same time minimise the environmental impacts in the production and use of energy.

Lighting The Way

Trend and projection of climate changes in Hong Kong

Elements Trend
Annual mean temperature +0.12 °C/decade (1885 - 2011)
Mean diurnal range -0.22 °C/decade (1947 - 2011)
Annual number of hot nights +3.9 nights/decade (1947 - 2011)
Annual number of cold days -2.2 days/decade (1947 - 2011)
Annual rainfall +36 mm/decade (1947 - 2011)
Annual number of thunderstorms days +1.6 days/decade (1947 - 2011)
Annual number of heavy rain days (hourly rainfall > 30 mm) +0.3 days/decade (1947 - 2011)
Mean sea level (Victoria Harbour) +28 mm/decade (1954 - 2011)
Elements Observation (1980 - 1999) Projection (2090 - 2099)
Annual mean temperature 23.1 °C 26.1 - 29.9 °C
Annual number of hot nights 16 87 - 175
Annual number of very hot days 9 29 - 131
Annual number of cold days 17 0 - 5

Source: Hong Kong Observatory

Climate change brings us some unprecedented challenges, but there are things we in Hong Kong can do to make a difference and reduce our impacts on the environment. Efficient use of cleaner energy can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and thus our impact on climate change. This is something within reach of everyone, from households to building managers to power companies.

The Government has been progressively rolling out measures to promote energy efficiency for certain products and sectors. In 2011 we paid particular attention to lighting, which has on average accounted for about 15 per cent of total electricity consumption in Hong Kong over the past decade. We consulted the public on a proposal to restrict the sale of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs, and consulted stakeholders on the guidelines for best practices in external lighting installations for further promulgation.

We also included new products to be covered by our Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, which helps customers to identify greener products, and we moved towards implementing the mandatory Building Energy Code in 2012. Promoting energy efficiency is a key policy objective of the Government and we will continue to pursue various initiatives to improve Hong Kong’s performance in this area.

Hong Kong’s skyline lit at night.

Hong Kong’s skyline lit at night.

Greener Light Bulbs

Every person and enterprise in the city uses electric lights, but not all electric lights are the same. Incandescent light bulbs (ILBs), which have been in common use in Hong Kong for decades, are very energy-inefficient: 90 per cent of the consumed electricity is lost as heat and only 10 per cent is used for lighting. Fortunately, there are a number of more energy-efficient alternatives available in the market. In 2011 the Government held a three-month public consultation on a proposal to restrict the sale of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs.

Examples of ILBs

Examples of ILBs

The proposal takes into account overseas experience in phasing out ILBs and suggests several controls. These include prohibiting the supply of those lamps that cannot meet the minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) and regulating the supply of those ILBs that can meet the MEPS through a registration system. Suitable MEPS for Hong Kong would be determined with reference to overseas mandatory schemes.

ILBs come in a range of forms so initially, it is proposed to phase out the most popular types – non-reflector ILBs of 25 watts or above including General Lighting Service lamps, candle-shaped lamps, and round-shaped and other decorative lamps. Tungsten halogen lamps are not included in the proposal but may be covered over time.

Alternatives to non-reflector ILBs, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and the rapidly developing light-emitting diode (LED) technology, can achieve major electricity savings. CFLs can save around 75 per cent of electricity compared to ILBs and on average last up to six to eight times longer or more. If we do adopt the proposed restriction on ILBs and switch to more efficient alternatives, we would save up to 390 GWh per year in electricity consumption – or more than 6 per cent of the total electricity consumption for lighting – and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 273 000 tonnes.

There would be financial benefits, too. A family of four could save up to $440 in electricity bills each year by replacing ILBs with energy-efficient CFLs.

The Government is now consolidating the views and responses received in charting the way.

Examples of CFL (left) and LED (right) lamps.

Examples of CFL (left) and LED (right) lamps.

This domestic lighting fitting uses CFL for illumination.

This domestic lighting fitting uses CFL for illumination.

External Lighting Issues in Hong Kong

Image of the guidelines leaflet.

The Government takes note of the concerns over external lighting issues in Hong Kong, including possible light nuisance and energy wastage problems. In 2011, a Task Force on External Lighting was set up to advise the Government, with members drawn from professional bodies, relevant trades and green groups. They will focus on forging a community consensus and advise on the way forward to tackle external lighting that may cause light nuisance and energy wastage problems.

Meanwhile, we also consulted relevant stakeholders on a set of Guidelines on Industry Best Practices for External Lighting Installations for promulgation in early 2012. The Guidelines outline good practices in the design, installation and operation of external lighting. Examples include switching off external lights after a certain time at night, using automatic controls, installing shields and other features to prevent light over-spilling to nearby residences and into the sky, avoiding video walls that directly face residents, using more energy-efficient lighting equipment, and reducing the glare impact on road users. It is the intention of the Government to make use of these Guidelines to encourage early action by stakeholders to minimize the problems that may be caused by external lighting.

The Task Force will continue to discuss the relevant issues. The Government will consider the Task Force’s recommendations and take follow-up actions as appropriate.

Making Progress: Energy Labels and the Building Energy Code

Energy labels displayed on an air-conditioner (top left), CFL (top right), refrigerating appliance (bottom left), dehumidifier (bottom centre) and washing machine (bottom right).

Energy labels displayed on an air-conditioner (top left), CFL (top right), refrigerating appliance (bottom left), dehumidifier (bottom centre) and washing machine (bottom right).

The Government is also making progress in its on-going programmes to reduce Hong Kong’s impact on climate change. Two of these programmes in particular stand out: energy labels on energy efficient electrical appliances and the Building Energy Code.

The Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme requires certain product categories to display an energy label to consumers. The energy labels show one of five grades for energy efficiency, with Grade 1 being the most efficient. The initial phase of the scheme covers refrigerating appliances, air-conditioners and compact fluorescent lamps, and has been fully implemented since November 2009. Dehumidifiers and washing machines were added to the scheme in the second phase from September 2011.

These are all common household products and together account for about 70 per cent of the annual electricity consumption in the residential sector. By helping customers to make greener choices, the two phases of the scheme are expected to save about 175 GWh in energy saving per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 122 500 tonnes per year.

Commercial and residential buildings in Hong Kong are dependent on electricity-consuming building services systems, such as those for air-conditioning, electrical, lighting and lifts & escalators.

Commercial and residential buildings in Hong Kong are dependent on electricity-consuming building services systems, such as those for air-conditioning, electrical, lighting and lifts & escalators.

Mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Code (BEC) is another way of saving electricity. The BEC stipulates the minimum energy efficiency design standards for air-conditioning, electrical, lighting and lift & escalator installations. In 2012 the BEC will become mandatory for most new buildings, as well as major retrofitting works in existing buildings, under the new Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance.

The ordinance requires all new buildings that receive approval to begin construction on or after 21 September 2012 to meet the minimum standards. This means projects being planned back in 2011 and early 2012 will need to comply with the statutory requirement. Commercial buildings and the commercial portion of composite buildings are also required to undergo energy audits on their central building services installations once every 10 years, and they have to display the audit results at their main entrance. Within a decade, the provisions in the new ordinance are expected to save Hong Kong more than 2.8 billion kWh of electricity and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.96 million tonnes.

The Government is also encouraging owners of existing buildings to conduct energy-cum-carbon audits and implement energy efficiency projects. These are supported by two funding schemes totalling $450 million that have been set up by the Environment and Conservation Fund (also see Community Awareness). As of December 2011, 791 applications had been approved involving subsidies of $309 million, benefiting more than 5 300 buildings. The total electricity savings from these projects amount to 140 GWh per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 98 000 tonnes.

These measures all add up to substantial reductions in Hong Kong’s electricity consumption. We still need to continue to seek out cleaner forms of energy, but in the meantime, there are steps that everyone in the community can take to reduce their carbon footprint and their impacts on climate change.

Adopting a green lifestyle can help save energy and reduce impacts on climate change. Adopting a green lifestyle can help save energy and reduce impacts on climate change.

Looking Ahead

  • The Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance will be brought into effect in September 2012. The Government will also regularly review and tighten the Building Energy Code having regard to technological advancement.
  • The three-year Buildings Energy Efficiency Funding Schemes under the Environment and Conservation Fund will come due in April 2012 and its way forward will be reviewed.
  • The first two phases of the District Cooling System in the Kai Tak Development will be implemented.
  • Actions will be taken to address the possible light nuisance and energy wastage problems that may be caused by external lighting, having regard to the recommendations of the Task Force on External Lighting.
  • The proposal to restrict the sale of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs will be taken forward, having regard to the outcome of the public consultation.

Topical Issues