Hong Kong's first sludge treatment facility T·PARK opens

     The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (May 19) officiated at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong's first self-sustained sludge treatment facility, T·PARK, marking a significant step forward in Hong Kong's waste-to-energy journey.

     Located at Tsang Tsui, Tuen Mun, T·PARK is one of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in the world. With a well-designed self-sustaining operational system, T·PARK combines a variety of advanced technologies into a single complex, bringing together sludge incinerators with a treatment capacity of up to 2 000 tonnes of sludge per day, with power generation, desalination, educational and ecological facilities to showcase the benefits of the waste-to-energy approach in waste management.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, explained that the "T" in T·PARK stands for "transformation". It signifies Hong Kong's dedication to transforming waste into energy, which is a key part in the waste management strategy for Hong Kong. Mr Wong also called on members of the public to work together in combating climate change by deepening their efforts in energy saving and waste reduction to help build up Hong Kong as a low-carbon city.

     With an advanced incineration system, T·PARK can reduce the volume of sludge by 90 per cent, thus substantially reducing the loading on landfills where sludge used to be disposed of. During the incineration process, the heat generated can be recovered for electricity generation to meet on-site operational needs. To extend the benefits to the public, surplus electricity generated from the process is exported to the public power grid for meeting the needs of up to 4 000 households at maximum design throughput.

     In addition, T·PARK adopts a zero-wastewater-discharge policy in which wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation, flushing and cleaning purposes. It houses a seawater desalination plant that produces fresh water for use on-site while rainwater is collected for non-potable use. 

     In April this year, T·PARK, together with Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme, won the distinction award in the category of Wastewater Project of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2016. In addition, the architectural design of T·PARK has also been highly acclaimed and recognised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers with the presentation of the Grand Award in this year's Structural Excellence Award.

     To enhance public awareness of sustainable development, members of the public are welcome to visit T·PARK to explore its green features and enjoy a wide range of educational and leisure facilities, including a landscaped garden with five themes, a roof garden and a wetland habitat for wildlife. It also houses three spa pools with different temperatures using the waste heat energy recovered from the sludge incineration. Guided tours are also available upon reservation.

     More information about T·PARK is available at its thematic website: www.tpark.hk. Members of the public may also call 2910 9700 for enquires.

     Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for the Environment/Director of Environmental Protection, Ms Anissa Wong; Legislative Council Members Mr Chan Hak-kan and Dr Lo Wai-kwok; the Chairman of the Tuen Mun District Council, Mr Leung Kin-man; and the Chairman of the Yuen Long District Council, Mr Shum Ho-kit.

Ends/Thursday, May 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:09