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Following is a question by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, (in the absence of Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works) at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 17) :
Question:
The Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings, launched by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) in 1998, stipulates the energy efficiency requirements of lighting, air conditioning, electrical, lift and escalator installations. A registration certificate will be issued to a building which meets such requirements. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of registration certificates issued by EMSD in each of the past five years and the types of installation involved;
(b) whether it will extend the scope of the above Scheme; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(c) whether it will further encourage public participation in the Scheme; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) whether installations used in newly-built government buildings have to meet the above energy efficiency requirements; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In the five years from April 2001 to March 2006, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) issued 1276 registration certificates to 625 buildings under the Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings (the Scheme). The number of registration certificates issued in each of the past five years is as follows:
Year Number of registration certificates issued
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2001/02 26
2002/03 79
2003/04 167
2004/05 275
2005/06 729
Of the registered installations, 38% are lighting installations and 24% are air conditioning installations, while electrical installations and lift and escalator installations each takes up about 19%.
(b) When introduced in 1998, this voluntary Scheme was mainly intended for commercial buildings and office buildings. However, registration certificates can now be issued to schools, municipal services facilities, medical services buildings, industrial buildings and domestic premises so long as they can comply with the relevant Codes of Practice for Energy Efficiency. In 2003, EMSD launched the Performance-based Building Energy Code. This Code emphasises on the total energy consumption of a building, and serves to provide more comprehensive energy efficiency requirements and to encourage innovative energy efficient design.
(c) EMSD has been actively promoting the Scheme through organising and participating in promotional activities and seminars. A survey conducted in 2005 reveals that 67% of the stakeholders in the relevant sectors are aware of the Scheme. In 2006, the EMSD will step up its promotional campaign. For example, three seminars and promotional activities on energy efficiency are scheduled to be held in May and June to promote the Scheme among property management companies and the construction industry. Experience-sharing workshops will also be organised to encourage the construction industry to actively participate in the Scheme. In addition, information on the Scheme can be obtained through promotional leaflets or downloaded from the EMSD website.
(d) The Architectural Services Department and the Housing Department are very supportive of the Codes of Practice for Energy Efficiency for buildings and the Scheme. New buildings constructed by these two departments will comply with the Codes of Practice and be registered under the Scheme. In 2005, the Government issued a technical circular (works) which stipulates that new government buildings must comply with the requirements of the Codes of Practice for Energy Efficiency.
Ends/Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:21
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