Secretary for Environment and Ecology visits Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (with photos)

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (August 5) visited the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) headquarters and the North Plant of the District Cooling System (DCS) at Kai Tak to learn more about the work of the EMSD and its latest developments.

     Mr Tse began his visit at the EMSD headquarters by meeting the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Eric Pang, and other directorate staff. He received an update on the department's work in regulating gas and electricity safety and how the department enhances the safety of electrical and mechanical (E&M) facilities in buildings by deploying innovation and technology. He also learnt more about EMSD's work in providing digitalised E&M engineering solutions for government departments to tie in with the policies on smart city and combating climate change.

     Accompanied by Mr Pang, Mr Tse toured the EMSD's Regional Digital Control Centre to learn more about how colleagues adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies to monitor remotely the operating status of E&M equipment at various locations, which can help enhance their energy efficiency through data analysis.

     Mr Tse then visited the E&M InnoZone where the collection of exhibits, covering applications like Internet of Things (IoT), automated technology and AI, jointly developed by EMSD and local universities, start-ups and research institutions, are showcased. He was also briefed on various smart city development trial projects, including the Government-Wide IoT Network (GWIN) and various systems supported by GWIN, such as smart drainage, smart public toilets, etc.

     Mr Tse also visited the North Plant of the Kai Tak DCS to receive a briefing on its operation and the latest progress of the remaining works, and inspected the control room, chillers and the associated equipment at the basement of the plant.

     Mr Tse said, "The Government published last year Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050, which mapped out Hong Kong's decarbonisation strategies and climate resilience measures, as well as more aggressive energy saving targets. I am impressed to see that EMSD has adopted new thinking and new perspectives to bring a safe and energy-efficient smart living environment through E&M innovation so as to enhance living quality and bring benefits for the public. I look forward to the department continuing its adoption of innovative ideas in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency."