Four more hydrogen fuel trials approved

To date, agreement-in-principle has been given to a total of 18 projects.

The Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel has given its agreement-in-principle to four more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology, according to the Environment & Ecology Bureau.

In a statement, the bureau said the first project approved was by Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited involving the production of hydrogen with solar energy at the restored Pillar Point Valley Landfill in Tuen Mun.

Also approved was the project by China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong Nation-Synergy International Hydrogen Power Technology Co., Limited and Sinopec. This will try out a 19-seater hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) minibus and a 55-seater HFC coach for providing shuttle service commuting the construction site for workers, and three HFC forklift trucks to be used at the construction site.

The third project was submitted by Kingroad Logistics, Allenbus Automotive Technology Co., and Hong Kong Hydrogen Fuel Cell Company. This will test HFC medium goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport.

The last project was also submitted by Sinopec to test out an HFC light goods vehicle for transport application at its oil terminal in Tsing Yi.

To date, the working group has approved 18 hydrogen energy trial projects. This includes Citybus' HFC double-decker bus that has commenced daily passenger service across the city.

Meanwhile, Sinopec has finished building Hong Kong's first public hydrogen refueling station in Yuen Long. The station, set to open in two months, will supply hydrogen to three HFC street-cleaning vehicles starting their trial run.

The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department is working with the Department of Justice on the amendments to the Gas Safety Ordinance to include safe regulation on hydrogen fuel. A bill will be introduced to the Legislative Council next year.