Veolia, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), and CITIC Pacific today held a groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s first privately funded solar farm on a landfill, marking a significant step in the HKSAR Government’s Climate Action Plan 2050. The project is targeted to start generating green electricity in the first half of 2025.

Located on a valley slope at the South East New Territories Landfill in Tseung Kwan O, the solar farm is estimated to generate 1,200,000 kWh of green electricity annually, enough to power approximately 360 households. By replacing conventional fuel sources with this renewable energy, it aims to reduce carbon emissions by around 468 tonnes a year, equivalent to the CO2 absorption of about 20,000 trees.

The solar farm will be operated by Green Valley Limited (GVL) – a joint venture between Veolia, SHKP and CITIC Pacific – who manages the landfill. This initiative, with the full backing of the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), not only provides a sustainable, low-carbon energy solution but also underscores the vast potential for similar solar farms across Hong Kong, supporting the city’s transition to a low-carbon future.

The solar farm will participate in the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited. At the same time, SUNeVision, a subsidiary of SHKP and Hong Kong’s largest data centre provider, will purchase CLP Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) linked to the solar power generated by the solar farm. 

Speaking at the event, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan said, “The carbon emissions in Hong Kong peaked in 2014, and compared to the peak, our carbon emissions today have decreased by nearly 25%. Our carbon emissions per capita is just a quarter of those in the U.S and 60% of those in the European Union. The government has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by half before 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The 1 MW pilot solar farm project at the South East New Territories Landfill, set to be completed next year, will showcase the collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors in advancing renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality.” 

Mr Laurent Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Hong Kong & Macau, said, “It is a great example of collaboration between different companies from different industries, Veolia, Sun Hung Kai Properties and CITIC, with the strong support of EPD, to achieve together the decarbonization of Hong Kong. Veolia’s vision fully aligns with Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050. With our strategic program called GreenUp (2024-2027), our activities are centered around 3 main axes: depolluting, decarbonizing, and resource-regenerating solutions through various projects to assist Hong Kong in achieving its carbon neutrality. This project represents a significant step forward in local renewable energy development and environmental protection, showcasing an excellent model of utilising available land. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone for us. Veolia looks forward to working closely with the government, our partners, the community, and all stakeholders to promote Hong Kong’s comprehensive transition to a sustainable future.”

Christopher Kwok, Executive Director of SHKP, said, “SHKP has been a strong advocate of solar energy, actively promoting the installation of solar panel systems across our owned and managed sites. We currently manage more than 16,000 solar panels, the largest solar power network in the city. We are immensely grateful for the support from the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department for this project, and we are excited to see the solar farm nearing fruition. In addition to providing civil and builder’s works, we also facilitate collaboration between our companies to supply green electricity, creating a closed-loop ESG model. As a joint venture partner of GVL in developing this solar farm, we have also arranged for our subsidiary, SUNeVision, which is Hong Kong’s largest data centre operator, to acquire CLP RECs 100% linked to the solar power generated by GVL. Looking ahead, we are prepared to develop more large-scale solar farms on vacant sites, such as land under planning and landfills. We strongly believe that the private sector can make significant strides in harnessing solar energy for a sustainable future.”

This pioneering solar farm consists of over 1,800 PV panels, spanning over 100,000 square feet, and features several technological and project execution breakthroughs. The civil engineering work is carefully designed to ensure slope stability and wind load protection. The installation is specifically intended for landfill restoration, which is a unique feature that avoids damaging the landfill liner and protects leachate and landfill gas collection. Furthermore, remote power generation and solar panel performance systems are designed to monitor all operational conditions, ensuring efficient and safe operation. 

Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) is sponsoring over 2,000 primary and secondary school students and teachers to visit the first Hong Kong Base for Aerospace Science Education in the current academic year, as part of SHKP Reading Club’s Read to Dream programme. The visits seek to deepen the young people’s understanding of the country’s achievements in aerospace technology and strengthen their sense of national identity and pride.  

Officiating the kick-off ceremony today were Liu Maozhou, the First-level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR; Wong Kam-leung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers; Tang Fei, Legislative Council member and Vice President of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers; Dr William Lam, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Science) of the Education Bureau; Christopher Kwok, SHKP Executive Director; and Yetta Li, Patriotic Education Centre Director. A total of 140 students and teachers from five primary and secondary schools attended the first visit today.

At the ceremony, SHKP Executive Director Christopher Kwok said: “Our country is widely recognized for its exceptional achievements in aerospace technology, including the historic completion of the first lunar far-side sample collection during the Chang’e-6 lunar exploration mission. Through the activities under the Read to Dream Programme, we hope to enhance young people’s understanding of the country’s achievements in aerospace technology, arouse their interest in science, and foster their sense of national pride and patriotism.”

Wong Kam-leung, Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers Chairman, said: “In his September speech, President Xi stressed that exploring the vast cosmos and building China into an aerospace power is our eternal dream. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, the country’s aerospace technology industry has made significant breakthroughs and is now a global leader. We hope that through these educational visits, students in Hong Kong will have the opportunity to closely engage with these cutting-edge technologies and experience the challenging journey and remarkable achievements of China’s aerospace industry. This will further stimulate their interest in science and technology, motivate them to explore and to contribute to the country’s technological development in the future.”

This year’s Read to Dream programme teamed up with the Patriotic Education Centre, established by the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, to launch a series of aerospace-themed activities, including visits to the Hong Kong Base for Aerospace Science Education. Set up by the Patriotic Education Centre and the Chinese Society of Astronautics, the base has six exhibition zones that demonstrate the country’s advancements in rockets, satellites, lunar exploration and the manned space programme through audio and video displays, simulation models, promoting both patriotic education and aerospace developments. 

The students also visited the National Security and National Education Exhibition Hall at the Patriotic Education Centre to learn about recent developments and the significance of national security. 

SHKP’s dedication to fostering the young generation’s patriotism

To encourage young people to learn about our country’s achievements, SHKP earlier supported the “Meng Xi” InnoTech Promotional Programme by providing free venue space for its roving exhibition across eight high-traffic shopping malls in the city. The exhibition showcases the country’s cutting-edge technologies, inspiring the younger generation to develop their interest in science, thus contributing to the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent as well as fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the country.

In July, the Read to Dream programme provided 1,000 underprivileged students with an allowance to buy books on science or Chinese culture at the Hong Kong Book Fair. It also organized a seminar on aerospace technology, which attracted over 300 students.

To mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China together, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) and the Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund are supporting a series of activities designed to spread joy and foster national pride. These initiatives encompass culture, national history, youth science education, community events and public engagement.

SHKP Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok said: “The 75th anniversary of the founding of the country is a significant milestone. In keeping with our long-standing belief in Building Homes with Heart, SHKP is partnering with various sectors to present special events. These celebrations will provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn about our country’s achievements while driving local consumption and showcasing Hong Kong’s unique charm – supported by the motherland and connected to the global community.”

The Group is organizing or sponsoring six major celebration events:

1. From 26 September to 31 October, International Commerce Centre (ICC), the tallest building in Hong Kong, will feature a National Day light show with a celebratory slogan on its façade.
2. The Group is sponsoring the “Meng Xi” InnoTech Promotional Programme, initiated by the Federation of New Territories Youth, by offering free venue space for its exhibition at eight high-traffic shopping malls¹ across the city. The exhibition showcases various treasures reflecting the country’s cutting-edge technologies, including meteorites provided by the China National Space Administration and plant seeds cultivated in space by astronauts in the China Manned Space Programme. By highlighting these remarkable achievements in aerospace technology, SHKP aims to inspire the younger generation’s interest in science, contributing to the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent, and fostering a sense of national identity and pride.
3. The Group is co-organizing a photo exhibition hosted by the China News Services Hong Kong Bureau and the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists. Running from 24 to 26 October on the sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, the exhibition features valuable historical news photographs on the history and achievements of our country.
4. The Group is supporting community events organized by the Sham Shui Po Residents Association and co-organized by the Sham Shui Po District Office. These events include outdoor photo-friendly installations available from 14 September to 15 October, as well as a weekend market held earlier. These initiatives help bring vibrancy to the Cheung Sha Wan Promenade, which is adjacent to TOWNPLACE WEST KOWLOON and SOHO West, and exemplify the successful collaboration between the government, business sector and community.
5. The Group sponsored a painting exhibition organized by Bauhinia Culture Group. Titled “Better Than Ever – Exhibition of Famous Works Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China”, the exhibition held in August displayed more than 120 renowned works by Chinese maestros. It was the one of the largest and most representative exhibitions of modern Chinese contemporary art in the city in recent years.
6. SHKP malls and The Point will roll out a series of National Day celebration activities, including promotional displays, shopping privileges, spending rewards and rebates. The Royal hotels will also offer special promotions for the occasion. All these aim to stimulate the retail market and boost the economy. For details, please refer to The Point APP, the Facebook pages of respective malls and hotels, or the malls’ customer care centres.

¹ The exhibition will be held at eight SHKP malls:

• Tsuen Wan Plaza
• Metroplaza, Kwai Fong
• Tai Po Mega Mall
• New Town Plaza, Sha Tin
• East Point City, Tseung Kwan O
• YOHO Mall I, Yuen Long
• V city, Tuen Mun
• Landmark North, Sheung Shui