Four more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said that the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel led by the EEB has given agreement-in-principle to four more applications of trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology at its meeting today (December 15).
The relevant projects involve:
(a)an application submitted by the Vocational Training Council, which involves establishing hydrogen energy training facilities at the Tsing Yi campus of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education;
(b)an application submitted by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, which involves installing a hydrogen extraction facility at its Tai Po plant;
(c)an application jointly submitted by Pacific Gate Development Limited, the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, Chi Shing New Energy Technology Co, Limited and China Overseas Building Construction Limited, which involves provision of electricity with hydrogen power generation equipment for a construction site office in Central; and
(d)an application submitted by Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited, which involves launching a trial operation of two hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) commercial vehicles for the purpose of daily transportation of personnel and equipment.
The spokesperson for the EEB stated, "The Working Group has promptly initiated the examination process upon receipt of detailed information of the trial projects. Following the applicants' enhancement on the designs and technical details according to feedback from government departments to ensure that the trial projects can be carried out smoothly and safely, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle to the four applications at its meeting today."
To date, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle in stages to a total of 32 applications of hydrogen energy trial projects. The Working Group will continue to make reference to the operational data and experience collected from all local trials, in order to provide advice for the continuous enhancement of the safety and technical guidelines on the local application of hydrogen energy.
The spokesman said, "The Government has made top-level planning in the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong announced in 2024. The Strategy sets out the four major strategies, namely improving legislations, establishing standards, aligning with the market and advancing with prudence to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong in a prudent and orderly manner."
The spokesperson added, "The Gas Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was gazetted on July 25, 2025. The definition of 'gas' includes 'regulated hydrogen' used or intended to be used as fuel to propel vehicles, trains, or machinery, etc, bringing it under the regulatory framework of the Gas Safety Ordinance. This Ordinance establishes a regulatory framework governing the importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply, and use of hydrogen that is used or intended to be used as fuel.
”The Government also plans to introduce the subsidiary legislation on the regulation of 'regulated hydrogen' into the Legislative Council for negative vetting within 2026. The relevant subsidiary legislation will cover the entire supply chain of 'regulated hydrogen' to provide a clear legal framework and stable regulatory environment for the local hydrogen energy industry, enabling both local and international investors to develop hydrogen-related businesses in Hong Kong with greater confidence."
The spokesperson continued, "With a view to promoting the development of green or low-carbon hydrogen, the EEB and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) commenced a dedicated study for hydrogen standard certification. At the meeting, the EMSD briefed the Working Group on the latest progress of the relevant certification scheme, with the targeted timing of consulting the trade on the content of the scheme in early 2026 and formulate the approach of hydrogen standard certification by 2027, helping Hong Kong take the lead in future global hydrogen energy market.
"The EMSD will continue to promote hydrogen energy development, and plans to organise the Hydrogen Week in May 2026, which will include the key event, International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026. Additionally, the Energy Working Group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has agreed to hold the 1st APEC Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen Annual Convention during the Hydrogen Week, marking APEC's first international conference on hydrogen applications. This will complement the APEC 2026 to be hosted by China."
The Working Group will continue to regularly review the progress of the Strategy and provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of its various measures. The Working Group is formed by the EEB, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the EMSD, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Marine Department, the Planning Department, the Lands Department, the Buildings Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Labour Department.
Source: AI-found images
