The Workshop on Promoting Digital Solar Resources Maps and Management Technologies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group (EWG) was held in Hong Kong, China today (July 8).
 
     Delivering a welcoming speech by video, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that Hong Kong was honoured to hold the APEC Workshop on Promoting Digital Solar Resources Maps and Management Technologies to enhance the utilisation of solar energy and foster a sustainable energy transition. Thirty experts and delegates from eight APEC economies gathered to exchange valuable experiences, technical knowledge and share insights on solar technologies.
 
     Mr Tse emphasised that the development and deployment of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, are crucial to driving renewable power generation and increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix. He said that according to Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050, the city is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, as well as reduce carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level before 2035, adding that net-zero electricity generation is one of the decarbonisation strategies and measures. Mr Tse also said that digital solar resource maps and management technologies could help policymakers formulate renewable energy policy, assist the trade in making industrial decisions, enable academia in developing innovative technologies, and facilitate the market to create green jobs on the energy transition pathway.
 
     The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, shared the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's latest work on developing renewable energy to align with the APEC energy goal of doubling the proportion of renewables in the APEC energy mix by 2030. He thanked APEC member economies for joining the workshop and encouraged them to adopt innovative technologies for planning energy transition policies and roadmaps.
 
     The APEC's EWG aims to further APEC goals to facilitate energy trade and investment so as to ensure that energy contributes to the enhancement of economic, social and environmental conditions of APEC economies. The EWG consists of members from 21 APEC economies and convenes twice a year. It holds workshops on various themes to assist with the achievement of APEC's energy goals.

Ends/Monday, July 8, 2024
Issued at HKT 16:00

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