As a major financial centre in the Asia-Pacific region and an international trading and logistics hub, Hong Kong has seen a great demand for reliable data centre facilities and services to support the business growth in China and other parts of the region. To facilitate the setting up of data centres, HK Electric has introduced a suite of one-stop customised services.
The services include providing useful information to assist customers in identifying the best site, giving technical support especially on areas such as capacity of electricity supply, supply reliability and network design as well as maintaining a single contact point. Furthermore, HK Electric has pledged that advice on supply availability and whether reinforcement is required for the selected site would be given within four working days following receipt of enquiry to enable customers to seize opportunities as early as possible.
HK Electric will also assist customers to devise energy efficiency programmes by installing smart meters which provide load profile data for their large installations. Advice and guidance on obtaining new or additional supply to meet growing load demand will also be given to customers as well. In addition, the company will provide free advisory services on energy-saving solution and equipment, and make referral of equipment suppliers and contractors if required.
To promote the development of data centres as well as facilitating Hong Kong to become a hub for data centres, the Company organised a symposium today (25 March) themed on "Don't Just be Green, Be Agile" where information technology practitioners were invited to exchange views on the latest development trend and challenges regarding data centres.
The symposium also explored the advantages of setting up data centres on Hong Kong Island for its proximity to the heart of the city's central business district, and the advances and applications of engineering technology for building green and energy-efficient data centres within space-constrained premises.
Managing Director of HK Electric, Mr. Wan Chi-tin, noted the need for a highly reliable and secure electricity supply to the development and operation of data centres in Hong Kong.
"Since 1997, HK Electric has been able to maintain a world-class supply reliability of over 99.999%, and our power quality is also one of the best in the world. Our teams of professional and experienced engineers are also dedicated to providing the highest standard of service to customers," he added.
Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Policy and Community), Miss Joey Lam, said that as Hong Kong is strategically located in the heart of Asia, it has been equipped with a robust telecommunication infrastructure, superior and reliable power supply and pro-business environment, which all contribute significantly to Hong Kong's competitiveness in developing the business.
"OneAsia", a company that has set up a number of data centres in Asia, had planned last year to set a data centre in Chai Wan. HK Electric's professional team provided them with information and technical coordination on capacity of electricity supply at the site, supply reliability and network design immediately after receiving their application, resulting in the supply of ample and quality power for the selected site within three weeks.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of "OneAsia", Mr. Charles Lee, said: "HK Electric is supportive, efficient and customer-focused. Besides, the land bank information they provide is valuable to customers in identifying suitable sites for data centre operations. It helps industry practitioners who are interested in setting up data centres on Hong Kong Island to make wise choices."