Environmental Performance

 Energy Use

We understand that efficient energy use is the key for developing a sustainable future. In order to minimise the consumption of energy in buildings constructed by our department, we have endeavoured to enhance on building design, e.g. reduce OTTV, create green roof design, etc. and to optimise the utilisation of renewable energy and energy saving devices, such as variable speed drives for motors, high-efficiency and heat recovery chillers, heat exchanger, heat wheels, cooling towers for air-conditioning installation, energy-saving fluorescent tubes and occupancy sensors for lighting installation. Our effort has been reflected in the favourable comments from building users upon occupation of the buildings.

Our long-term targets / achievements in optimising efficient energy consumption are listed below:

 
Objectives Targets Measurement Achievements in 2005
Energy conservation To achieve OTTV standard of not more than 23W/ m2 for 92% of all new projects with air-conditioning, and not more than 18W/ m2 OTTV for 30% of projects In terms of number and % of projects 100% of projects achieved OTTV less than 23W/ m2, 63.6% of projects reached the standard of less than 18W/ m2
Improve energy efficiency of new installations To use water-cooled heat rejection system for central air-conditioning in not less than 70% of new projects In terms of number and % of projects 100% (2 out of 2 relevant projects) used the system
To use occupancy sensors for air-conditioning and lighting in not less than 85% of new projects In terms of number and % of projects 100% (7 out of 7 relevant projects) used occupancy sensors
To use driving motors of efficiency not less than 85% for lift and escalator in not less than 90% of new projects In terms of number and % of projects 100% (9 out of 9 relevant projects) used such driving motors
Use energy saving lighting fittings in fitting-out, planned maintenance and refurbishment projects At least 20% more energy efficient than existing lighting system in terms of kWh and % reduction Improvement in energy efficiency was 30.85%

 

According to our estimation, the annual saving in electricity expenses and the avoided CO2 emissions in the completed projects as a result of the application of energy saving initiatives are shown below.

Savings due to Energy Efficient Initiatives

  
Year Avoided CO2 Emissions in ,000 Tonnes Saving in HK$ in million
2002
48
85
2003
62
108
2004
68
119
2005
48
84

Note: The CO2 conversion used is 1MWh = 0.57297 tonne (from China Light & Power Annual

Report 2003)
   

Renewable Energy

The deployment of renewable energy technology, particularly the use of building integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels, has become more prevalent in the buildings in Hong Kong . In order to support the Government's sustainable development strategy which has set target to generate one to two percent of Hong Kong's electricity supply by renewable energy by 2012, we will continue the application of this advance technology in our projects as far as applicable. Since the number of completed projects that can adopt the installation of PV panels is not significant, the total areas of PV panels completed are relatively reduced. However, we will maximise its utilisation in a reasonably practical way in the coming projects. The PV panel installations at two hospital projects are examples of the application, which are shown below:

 

  
 
PV panels installed at top of the sun shielding devices of Princess Margaret Hospital   PV panels installed at the roof of covered walkway in Castle Peak Hospital

 

Total Area of Photovoltaic Panels Completed

Year
M2
2002
160
2003
2,800
2004
4,400
2005
693

 

Energy Conservation in Daily Operations

Additionally, we actively seek opportunities to enhance energy conservation in all our office areas. We have identified a number of initiatives / alternatives to further reduce the overall energy consumption. The advancements that we have achieved in 2005 are listed below.
 

  
Objectives Targets Measurement Achievements in 2005
To save energy for operation of lighting, office equipment & air-conditioning system in meeting rooms and office areas Replacing fluorescent luminaires in eight office floors of QGO with electronic ballast and T5 (ø16mm) fluorescent tube To be measured in terms of progress of works Funding was sought and replacement work would be carried out in 2006
  Reducing electricity consumption (kWh/m2) by 4.5% at APB Centre compared to base year 2002 To be measured in terms of % reduction in kWh/m2 Saving of 6.65%

 

Support Government's Initiative on Environmental Protection

We adhere to the Hong Kong Government's Policy that advocates the adoption of energy efficient features and renewable energy technologies in government projects and installations. Besides strengthening of the technical requirements on our contracts works and decisively incorporating them into the design, our project managers address the matter well at the early stage of projects to harmonise different requirements proactively.