December 20, 2024 -- A delegation from the National Energy Administration (NEA) visited Hong Kong to tour The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) facilities, including the Tai Po Gas Production Plant and North Point Headquarters. The visit aimed to understand Hong Kong’s longest-standing utility, particularly its smart energy development and latest hydrogen facilities. Both parties held in-depth discussions on how Towngas could better contribute to national energy development, ensure energy security and stable supply, and advance green low-carbon energy initiatives.
On the morning of 17 December, senior management representatives including Mr Martin Kee Wai-ngai, Chief Operating Officer - Mainland Utilities, and Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong, Chief Operating Officer - Hong Kong Business, welcomed the visiting NEA delegation led by Mr Bian Guangqi, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment of NEA, at the Tai Po Gas Production Plant. The delegation visited the plant’s hydrogen extraction facility, which extracts hydrogen from existing gas pipelines and utilises hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, providing Hong Kong with a safe and efficient hydrogen supply solution. The delegation also visited a recreational facility in Sai Kung to observe Hong Kong’s first proof-of-concept (POC) modular hydrogen power generation system trial project established by Towngas. The system features gas pipeline networks and hydrogen extraction facilities to power electric vehicle charging stations, whilst the residual gas after hydrogen extraction supports a combined heat and power system for electricity and hot water supply.
The delegation then visited the Historical Gallery and Customer Centre at Towngas North Point Headquarters to learn about the Company’s development history, quality gas appliances, new home products, and six-star one-stop service concept. They also toured the Hall of Innovation and the Hall of Future Energy, where the former showcases energy-saving and carbon reduction equipment and technologies developed by Towngas staff, while the latter presents Towngas’s hydrogen energy development and project innovations in renewable energy, energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and green methanol. Mr Cheng remarked, “We are grateful for NEA’s support in accelerating Hong Kong’s green and low-carbon transformation and enhancing energy supply quality and efficiency, thus driving Hong Kong towards carbon neutrality.” The visit concluded with a discussion session where both parties exchanged views on deepening cooperation in energy and green development.
With its roots in Hong Kong and 30 years of development on the Chinese mainland, Towngas has expanded into city gas, water supply, and environmental services, whilst promoting zero-carbon industrial parks centred on smart energy. Looking ahead, Towngas remains committed to low-carbon energy and sustainable development, driving Hong Kong towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and echoing the country’s “30-60” dual carbon goals, working together towards high-quality development in the energy sector.
Towngas expressed gratitude to the NEA representatives for taking time from their busy schedules to visit. The Company hopes this visit has deepened mutual understanding and pledges to continue strengthening communication and cooperation with NEA. Towngas reaffirmed its commitment to providing stable and reliable gas services to customers whilst fully supporting the Government’s medium-term carbon reduction and long-term carbon neutrality targets.
In brief
The National Energy Administration delegation visited Towngas facilities in Hong Kong, including its Tai Po Gas Production Plant and North Point headquarters, for discussions on energy cooperation. Towngas says the visitors examined a facility that extracts hydrogen from gas pipelines and uses fuel cells to produce electricity, as well as a modular hydrogen power-generation trial serving electric-vehicle charging and a combined heat-and-power system. The delegation also toured exhibits on energy-saving technologies and the company’s work in hydrogen, renewable energy, storage, sustainable aviation fuel and green methanol. The visit concluded with an exchange on energy security, stable supply and low-carbon development. Towngas said it intends to continue cooperation with NEA and support Hong Kong’s carbon-neutrality target by 2050.
Key takeaways
- NEA representatives toured Towngas’s gas production plant and headquarters in Hong Kong.
- The delegation viewed hydrogen extraction and a modular hydrogen power-generation trial project.
- Towngas and NEA exchanged views on energy security, stable supply and low-carbon development.
- Towngas says it will continue cooperation with NEA and support Hong Kong’s 2050 carbon-neutrality target.
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Press photos:
Photo 1:
Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong (4th from left), Chief Operating Officer - Hong Kong Business of Towngas, received Mr Bian Guangqi (4th from right), Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment of NEA, and his delegation at the Tai Po Gas Production Plant to visit the hydrogen extraction facility.
Photo 2:
Mr Martin Kee Wai-ngai (right), Chief Operating Officer - Mainland Utilities of Towngas, accompanied Mr Bian Guangqi (left), Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment of NEA, and his delegation on a tour of the Hall of Innovation and Hall of Future Energy to learn about energy-saving and carbon reduction equipment and technologies developed by Towngas staff, as well as Towngas's development in hydrogen energy, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and green methanol.
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The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
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Tel: 2963 3471 / 6969 1360
Email: [email protected]
Ms Kara Kwong
Senior Corporate Affairs Officer
Tel: 2963 3497 / 6698 3357
Email: [email protected]
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Questions around this news
What did the NEA delegation see during its visit to Towngas?
The delegation visited Towngas’s Tai Po Gas Production Plant and North Point headquarters. At Tai Po, it viewed a hydrogen extraction facility and a demonstration project in Sai Kung that links hydrogen production with electric vehicle charging and a combined heat and power system. At the headquarters, visitors toured displays about energy-saving technologies and the company’s work on hydrogen and other energy projects.
How does hydrogen extraction from gas pipelines work?
Hydrogen extraction separates hydrogen from a gas stream that contains it, using equipment designed to isolate the hydrogen from other components. The resulting hydrogen can be used as a fuel or feedstock, depending on its quality and the application. The process and its energy and emissions impacts vary with the source gas, separation technology, and how the equipment is operated.
What does the Sai Kung hydrogen power trial demonstrate?
The release describes a proof-of-concept system that uses gas pipelines and hydrogen extraction facilities to supply power to electric vehicle charging stations. It also says residual gas after hydrogen extraction is used in a combined heat and power system to provide electricity and hot water. The project is presented as a trial rather than a description of a fully scaled deployment.
What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?
Sustainable aviation fuel is a type of aviation fuel made from non-conventional sources, such as certain waste materials or biomass, rather than solely from crude oil. It is designed for use in aircraft engines, often blended with conventional jet fuel. Its overall environmental impact depends on how the fuel is produced and on the feedstock and energy used in production.
Earlier from The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
- Towngas secures spot in Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index for third consecutive year, demonstrating strong ESG integration in business operations
- Towngas wins the “HKV-Award - Outstanding Corporate Award” for two consecutive years, diverse volunteer projects fill the gap in social care
- Towngas takes proactive steps to combat climate change and receives dual recognition at HKIoD’s inaugural Climate Governance Awards
- Towngas and CPN sign green methanol distribution MOU to promote Hong Kong as a green port
- Towngas retains top rankings in four CUHK Business Sustainability Indices
