HK Electric took a major step forward in its transition from coal-to-gas generation with the successful synchronisation of another new gas-fired unit L11 today. When unit L11 is commissioned in the first quarter next year, gas-fired generation will account for over 50 per cent of total output. This will bring Hong Kong closer to the Government's target of cutting carbon emission by half in 2035 comparing with 2005.
At this morning's ceremony held at the Lamma Power Station, Mr. Wan Chi-tin, Managing Director of HK Electric was accompanied by Ambassador Kenichi Okada, Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, alongside representatives from Mitsubishi, the plant supplier of the gas-fired units, as well as those from other project partners.
"To facilitate our fuel switching from 'coal-to-gas', HK Electric needs to build three new gas-fired units within the 2019-2023 Development Plan. With the commissioning of L10 last year, there was a substantial increase in the proportion of gas-fired generation. And with L11 coming on stream, we have taken a major step forward to provide customers with cleaner power," Mr. Wan stressed.
He remarked that with the COVID-19 outbreak gripping Hong Kong, the project faced numerous challenges, but thanks to the professionalism and strong commitment of the business partners, and the Company's in-house project and operations teams, L11 has now been successfully synchronised to the Company's power grid. He explained that HK Electric has been migrating to a low-carbon operation through investments in cost-effective green technologies and related facilities with significant achievements made.
The 380-MW L11 generating unit will be used as a baseload machine and its thermal efficiency will be around 58.5 per cent, much higher than the existing coal-fired units. The "combined-cycle generation technology" being adopted in the new unit is one of the most widely used, cleanest and efficient methods to generate electricity from fossil fuel. To further enhance its emission performance, L11 is equipped with a "Selective Catalytic Reduction system" to help reduce nitrogen oxide emission in the process of power generation.
It is predicted to achieve a lifelong carbon emission reduction of 35 million metric tonnes, which is equivalent to carbon dioxide being absorbed by 50 million trees every year.
The new unit will go through testing and commissioning before coming into commercial operation in the first quarter next year as planned, and the annual proportion of gas-fired generation by HK Electric will reach more than 50 per cent. This will allow HK Electric to retire an older gas-fired unit, GT57, as well as two coal-fired units sometime next year, while the remaining coal-fired units will be phased out by the early 2030s.
Mr. Wan said that apart from L11, the installation of another gas-fired unit -- L12 -- has begun and is on track to be commissioned in 2023. This will further boost the gas-fired generation to about 70 per cent of the Company's total output and reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent when compared to 2005.
The Offshore LNG Terminal currently under construction is scheduled for commissioning in mid-2022. This will provide Lamma Power Station with a new natural gas supply source at competitive prices as well as improve the security of fuel supply.
Mr. Wan reiterated HK Electric's full support for the Government's long-term goal to achieve carbon neutrality and the company will promote zero carbon power generation through various means, including the development of a large-scale offshore wind farm southwest of Lamma Island. The wind farm is expected to generate about 400 million units of zero carbon electricity when completed. In addition, HK Electric will study the use of hydrogen energy and other new technologies, and continue to promote energy conversation in the community, the greater use of electric vehicles as well as the introduction of smart meters for customers.