SEE visits Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works of Drainage Services Department (with photos)
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Mr Tse first met with the Director of Drainage Services, Ms Alice Pang, and other directorate staff, and was briefed on the department's latest situation and challenges. The DSD is implementing a number of large-scale sewage treatment/polishing initiatives, including the Shek Wu Hui Effluent Polishing Plant and the Yuen Long Effluent Polishing Plant to support the land and housing development in the New Territories North and continuously strengthen Hong Kong's impetus for growth. In addition, the DSD is undertaking various river revitalisation projects to improve the living environment as well as to promote a water-friendly culture.
Accompanied by Ms Pang, Mr Tse then visited the Main Control Room of the SCISTW to understand how the department monitors various sewage treatment processes round the clock. Mr Tse also inspected the sludge vessel "Clean Harbour 1", built under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A, which is responsible for delivering sludge to T·PARK, the Environmental Protection Department's facility in Tuen Mun, to generate electricity through sludge incineration, so as to alleviate the pressure on landfills and turn waste to energy.
Mr Tse also visited the hydro-turbine power generation system at the treatment works. Making use of the hydraulic energy of the sewage flow to drive the turbine, electricity could be generated for use by the treatment works, saving energy and reducing emissions. The DSD has been installing thin-film photovoltaic (PV) systems on the arc-type covers set on sedimentation tanks in phases, with an approximate area of 30,000 square metres, at the SCISTW since 2019. It is expected to be the largest installation of a similar system on completion, which could generate over 1 megawatt of electricity by 2024-25. In recent years, the DSD has been developing extra renewable energy systems in its facilities to promote the best use of land, which is in line with the Government's key policy of promoting an environmentally friendly and carbon neutral city. The DSD is currently producing more natural gas by co-anaerobic digestion of food waste and sludge at the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works. Moreover, pilot schemes are being conducted for steppable PV systems installed in the DSD's facilities and floating PV systems on river channels and flood storage ponds.
Mr Tse said that the DSD has been committed to providing world-class wastewater and stormwater drainage services. It has proactively collaborated with land development and supported the attainment of carbon neutrality, with notable achievements. Mr Tse mentioned that in the important speech delivered by President Xi Jinping on July 1, the leader noted that "the people's aspiration for a better life is what we are striving for". The Secretary said he hoped that the DSD will continue to develop and promote the use of renewable energy for combating climate change to help create a clean and healthy living environment for the public.
Ends/Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:05
Issued at HKT 19:05
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