Green Wave Sweeps Hong Kong
Green Wave Sweeps Hong Kong

Businesses in Hong Kong are joining the green energy revolution by purchasing renewable energy from sources across the city under an ingenious certificate scheme.

Wednesday, 28 April 2021
3 min read

 

Carbon neutrality is no longer a distant dream. It is a goal and an imperative after the Hong Kong government set 2050 as a target date to achieve it in the battle to combat climate change.

 

An important factor in reaching that goal is to use more renewable energy – a clean, inexhaustible, and increasing cost-competitive option that allows development without putting future generations in jeopardy.

 

Currently, however, renewable energy accounts for only 0.2% of the city’s total electricity supply in Hong Kong and more progress must be made. Businesses, which consume over 70% of electricity, can now contribute and have a major impact. 

 

There are two options: They can either install renewable energy systems on their premises, connect to the CLP Power grid, and earn payments under the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, or opt for the Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) programme – a flexible way to support the development of clean energy.

CLP Renewable Energy Certificate
Businesses can buy RECs to build a greener corporate image and fulfil their social responsibility commitments.

Saving the planet unit by unit

Each REC represents the environmental attributes of renewable electricity that is either generated or purchased by CLP Power from renewable energy sources in Hong Kong, including solar energy, wind energy, and landfill gas projects.

 

Businesses can choose the amount of REC they wish to purchase at HK$0.5 per unit, with a minimum purchase of 100 units. A variety of purchasing options are available to fulfil different business needs including bulk purchase as well as longer term purchase commitment. They receive RECs in recognition of their support for renewable energy development, and are entitled to claim the environmental benefits associated with using electricity generated from renewable sources.

How the REC Programme Helps

• Expands the Green Network – The purchase of RECs promotes the continuing expansion and development of renewable energy resources in Hong Kong.

• Sourced Exclusively from Hong Kong – Most of the energy represented by the RECs is generated within a 25 km radius of the point of consumption.

• Fulfils International Standards – RECs enable holders to meet the requirements of international energy initiatives such as RE100 and CDP. 

 

 

By the end of 2020, RECs representing a total of 8.6GWh of environmental attributes from renewable electricity had been purchased by CLP Power customers, reducing carbon emissions by around 3,500 tonnes which is equivalent to the planting of some 150,000 trees. 

 

CLP Power Senior Director of Customer and Business Development Lena Low says: “Customers have responded enthusiastically to the REC programme. It helps them achieve their own carbon reduction targets, as well as joining other environmentally-conscious businesses across the city in our journey towards a lower-carbon future.” 

Lena Low
CLP Power Senior Director of Customer and Business Development Lena Low says CLP Power is committed to support the Hong Kong government’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Landmark hotel sets the pace

An increasing number of companies have pledged to reduce the environmental and social impacts of their businesses. Rosewood Hong Kong is one of the trailblazers. 

 

Rosewood Hong Kong committed to buy 13GWh of RECs over a six-year period from 2020. It was the biggest transaction recorded in REC purchases, eliminating around 4,800 tonnes in carbon emissions which is equivalent to the planting of 208,000 trees.
Click on the video and see how RECs help Rosewood Hong Kong support the development of renewable energy in the city.

 

 

Rosewood Hong Kong Regional Vice President and Managing Director Hoss Vetry says sustainable development is an integral part of the hotel’s business strategy.

 

“We have committed to purchase CLP RECs to support green energy and reduce carbon emissions in Hong Kong,” he explains. “We will continue to work with CLP Power to identify further energy-saving opportunities and be more energy efficient.”

 

As well as purchasing RECs, Rosewood Hong Kong has also teamed up with CLP Power in a number of energy-saving and carbon reduction initiatives, including installing chillers with more energy-efficient models and 50,000 LED light bulbs and strips.

LED lighting in Rosewood Hong Kong
Rosewood Hong Kong has installed LED lighting, saving more than 70% in electricity use compared with traditional lighting.

 

The response of Rosewood Hong Kong and other companies across Hong Kong to the REC programme shows that, despite the pandemic, businesses are committed to play their part in the fight against climate change.

 

As more and more of them embrace renewable energy, businesses can become leaders of the movement to reduce our carbon footprint and make a brighter future for coming generations.

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