Background
In face of the challenges brought about by climate change, the world is striving to achieve carbon neutrality by making efforts to phase out fossil fuels and expedite green transformation. The process of converting hydrogen energy into mechanical or electrical energy does not emit greenhouse gases or other air pollutants. When the opportunity for using green hydrogen produced from renewable energy is ripe in the future, it would strengthen the role of hydrogen as clean energy carrier from production to application.
Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
To keep pace with the development trend of hydrogen as fuel, the Government set up the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (the Working Group) in 2022, to coordinate preparation works of bureaux and departments for using hydrogen as fuel locally, with a view to encouraging local application of hydrogen energy. The Working Group comprises the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Transport and Logistics Bureau, Development Bureau, Security Bureau, Environmental Protection Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Fire Services Department, Transport Department, Marine Department, Planning Department, Lands Department, Buildings Department and Architectural Services Department.
Terms of Reference and Membership
Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong
As set out in the 2023 Policy Address announced by the Chief Executive, Hong Kong will make every effort to promote the use and supply of new energy in sea, land and air transport so as to spearhead green transformation. Considering that hydrogen fuel can be used in the fields of transport, power generation and energy storage, as well as construction site equipment etc., and it is particularly relevant to the green transformation of commercial and heavy goods vehicles in the field of transport, the Government will formulate the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in the first half of 2024, and commence the preparatory work for the necessary legislative amendments pertaining to the production, storage, transportation and application of hydrogen fuel with a view to introducing a bill into the Legislative Council in 2025.
Proposed Amendments to the Gas Safety Ordinance
EMSD conducted trade consultation from 20 February 2024 to 19 March 2024 in respect of the proposed amendments to the Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap.51)
Consultation Paper for Proposed Amendments to the Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap. 51)
Technical Guidelines on Hydrogen Fuel Application
The Working Group is responsible for studying the development and commercialisation of various hydrogen energy technologies to promote local application of hydrogen, and also exploring the future regulatory frameworks of hydrogen as fuel under statute, and necessary regulations, standards and technical guidelines to ensure the safety of local use of hydrogen as fuel. EMSD has already formulated relevant technical guidelines for local application of hydrogen as fuel for reference by the trade.
Code of Practice for Hydrogen Fuelled Vehicles and Maintenance Workshops (English version only)
Code of Practice for Hydrogen Filling Stations (English version only)
Trial Projects on Hydrogen Fuel for Local Application
Moreover, the Working Group reviews applications of trial projects on hydrogen as fuel, and advises on aspects such as safety and planning, in order to facilitate the relevant trades to commence their trials as soon as possible. The Working Group has assessed and given agreement-in-principle to a number of applications of trial projects, including hydrogen fuel cell double-deckers, hydrogen fuelled light rail vehicle, hydrogen tube trailer, hydrogen refuelling facilities and hydrogen power generation at construction site etc.
Information, Latest News & Related Websites
Information
News and Events
Relevant websites
New Energy Transport Fund
Green Tech Fund
Environment and Conservation Fund
EMSD ENERGY LAND
Trade consultation conducted by EMSD on the proposed amendments to the Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap.51)