HONG KONG — A government working group has given agreement-in-principle to two more applications of trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology, bringing the number of approved hydrogen energy trial projects in Hong Kong to nine, according to the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), which leads the group.

One of the applications received in July involves providing electricity for a site office at a construction site in Lok Ma Chau with hydrogen fuel, while the other involves extracting hydrogen from an existing Towngas network at a site in Sai Kung to generate electricity for charging electric vehicles, according to an EEB statement. 

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The nine approved projects will provide data and field experience to formulate an operational safety framework for the local use of hydrogen fuel in the long run.  

In addition, the working group also had an initial discussion on the strategies and measures for hydrogen development in future.

Spokesman, Environment and Ecology Bureau, HK

After reviewing the designs and technical details that ensure the two latest projects can be carried out smoothly and safely, the working group – which consists of 13 departments and bureaus – approved the applications at a meeting on Thursday, the statement added.

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During the Thursday meeting, the working group also listened to two consultancy companies on the results of their studies on formulation of the safety guidelines for a hydrogen fuel system, and the technical guidelines for quantitative risk assessment of hydrogen refueling stations. 

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has commissioned a consultant to study an amendment to the Gas Safety Ordinance to cover hydrogen as fuel, said the EEB spokesman.

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The working group will conduct a business impact assessment in consultation with the trade and stakeholders. The HKSAR government will introduce the proposed amendment before the Legislative Council at an appropriate time, the spokesman added.

“In addition, the working group also had an initial discussion on the strategies and measures for hydrogen development in future," the statement reads.