Capacity Building Training on Retro-commissioning of Association of Southeast Asian Nations held in Hong Kong (with photos)

     The Capacity Building Training on Retro-commissioning (RCx) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is being held in Hong Kong today and tomorrow (February 26 and 27). More than 20 experts and delegates from eight ASEAN member states are gathering to exchange valuable experiences, technical knowledge and share insights on RCx.
 
     Delivering a welcoming speech by video, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that RCx plays a vital role in the periodic assessment of the energy performance of a building. It identifies areas for operational improvements, thereby achieving energy savings and a reduction of operating costs. By integrating RCx into energy efficiency strategies, significant progress can be made towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient ASEAN region.
 
     Mr Tse pointed out that Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and is pursuing the reduction of electricity consumption in commercial buildings by 30 per cent to 40 per cent, and that of residential buildings by 20 per cent to 30 per cent from the 2015 level by 2050, aiming to achieve these targets halfway by 2035.

     He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is implementing the energy saving and green buildings strategy in Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 with a multipronged approach, such as proposing amendments to the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance to extend the scope of regulation to more types of buildings, and strengthening regional co-operation on the promotion of retro-commissioning in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     In the workshop, the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Eric Pang, shared the HKSAR Government's latest efforts in achieving carbon neutrality by enhancing energy efficiency and savings in buildings. He thanked ASEAN member states for joining the training and encouraged co-operation among ASEAN member states on retro-commissioning.
     
     The workshop, which is the first energy-related ASEAN project held in Hong Kong, is organised by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department with support from the Economic and Technical Co-operation (ECOTECH) Work Programme under the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement. The ECOTECH Work Programme has supported more than 10 projects in pursuit of mutual benefits between ASEAN and Hong Kong, benefitting around 4 000 participants from Hong Kong, ASEAN and other regions.