Over 10,000 took part in renewable energy campaign
[30 August 2006]
Over 10,000 people taking part in this year's Smart Power Campaign have learnt about renewable energy through a lively example - the newly commissioned wind power station on Lamma Island.
Through a series of activities organized by Hongkong Electric, participants paid visits to the wind station to gain first-hand information of its operation, while learning about the benefits and limitations of the most common forms of renewable energy through workshops, travelling exhibition and radio programmes.
Speaking at an award presentation ceremony of the Campaign today, Director and General Manager (Engineering) of Hongkong Electric, Mr. Francis Lee, said he is encouraged by the enthusiastic response from students and the public. He urged them to take every opportunity to practise energy conservation in their daily lives.
Twelve young students were among the first ones to share their ideas on renewable energy and messages for green power with their winning entries of the "Under the Sun" Drawing Competition.
Members of the adjudication panel praised the young winners for the creativity and charm demonstrated in their colourful drawings. Some paintings also highlighted the passion for concerted efforts in protecting the environment.
Today's ceremony also featured winners of the "Flowing Water" Photo Competition who captured moving waters with their photo lens. Winning entries of both competitions will be put on public display at a travelling exhibition in Admiralty MTR Station (11-13 September) and Tsing Yi Station (25-27 September). Meanwhile, three young schoolchildren also shared with the audience their creative ideas of the fun application of renewable energy.
Apart from the thematic competitions, other activities held during the past year included a naming competition for wind power station which attracted 3,800 submissions and open days of the wind station for 1,000 primary and secondary school students.
Hongkong Electric as a power supplier will continue its efforts to protect the environment, including exploring the wider use of renewable energy in local power generation, Mr. Lee noted.
"Following the successful commissioning of our wind power station, we are now studying the feasibility of developing an offshore wind farm in Hong Kong waters. A final decision will be made after reviewing the technicality of the project, its possible impact on factors including the environment, navigation and marine ecology," he remarked.
"In the meantime, we will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions of our coal-fired plants by retrofitting flue-gas desulphurization plants to two coal-fired units. We also have started producing electricity with natural gas with our first gas-fired plant connected to the grid last month. It is going to replace 15 per cent of coal-fired generation in 2007," he noted.
Mr. Lee thanked the adjudicators for the effort put in the selection of today's winners. Panel members included the Chairman of Wanchai District Council, Ms. Ada Wong; a director of the Conservancy Association, Dr Ng Cho-nam; adventure athlete, Mr. Chung Kin-man; Art Director of Swallow Arts Cultural Centre, Mr Leung Man-ho; and professional photographer, Mr. Tsoi Hak-kin, and Managing Director of Hongkong Electric, Mr. Tso Kai-sum.