Hong Kong Awards Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster to Boost AI and Computing Power Development

Government announces tender result for Sandy Ridge site

The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) today (March 2) announced that the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site, with a total area of over 110000 square metres (Lot No. 953 in Demarcation District No. 89 at Sandy Ridge, North District, New Territories), has been awarded to Hong Kong Range Intelligent Computing Technology Company Limited for developing into an advanced data facility cluster for data centres and related industries on a land grant for a term of 50 years. The parent companies of the successful tenderer are Hong Kong Range Intelligent Computing Technology Development Company Limited and Sengro Fusion Technology Hong Kong Limited, with the ultimate holding company being Range Intelligent Computing Technology Group Company Limited (the Group). The Group has extensive experience in developing high-tier data centres and has developed and operated high-tier data centres facilities and large-scale dataport projects in multiple cities on the Mainland.

A two-envelope approach was adopted in the tender assessment for the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site to enable a comprehensive evaluation of both non-premium and premium proposals with a view to selecting the proposal that best unleashes the site's potential. In the tender evaluation, a weighting of 70 per cent was allocated to the non-premium proposal, and 30 per cent to the premium proposal. The tender must comply with the requirements on both non-premium and premium aspects as specified in the tender documents.

The Tender Assessment Panel assessed the tender in accordance with the criteria set out in the tender documents and confirmed the successful tenderer met the requirements in both the non-premium (such as the tenderer's contribution to Hong Kong in terms of investment and industrial development) and the premium proposals. The premium proposal of the tender is $581 million, and the successful tenderer expects to commence operations within 42 months, with an estimated cumulative investment of $23.8 billion from the development to the operation in the first three years. Other key aspects of the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster to be developed by the successful tenderer include:

(1) A total gross floor area of 250000 sq m, of which about 90 per cent (88 per cent) of the floor area will be dedicated to high-tier data centre use.

(2) It is estimated to generate an economic output of about $4.6billion and create around 180 skilled positions in the first three years of operation.

(3) A significant expansion of Hong Kong's digital and computing power infrastructure, with an expected provision of 180000 peta-floating point operations per second (PFLOPS) computing power by 2032, equivalent to 36 times the current computing power in Hong Kong. Enhanced computing power will accelerate the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, promote scientific breakthroughs, and drive the widespread application of AI technology in industry and society.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will closely monitor the project's progress according to the service deed to ensure that the tender commitments are delivered as scheduled and with the required quality.

Since the 2023 Policy Address announced the rezoning of the Sandy Ridge site for innovation and technology and related uses, the ITIB has been taking forward the plan of developing the Sandy Ridge site into a data facility cluster and for related industry uses. Subsequently, the ITIB and the Digital Policy Office solicited expressions of interest in 2024 for the use of the Sandy Ridge site as a data centre, and requested further information from the industry in 2025. After gaining a deep understanding of the industry's interests and considerations for the development of the site, the tender was launched in the fourth quarter of 2025, inviting the industry to lead the development and operation, provide advanced computing power facilities, and promote the development of data and AI-related industries. One tender was received in this exercise.

The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster is located in the Northern Metropolis, a core area of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Boundary Control Points Economic Belt, and is well-positioned to attract resources such as technology and talent from both Hong Kong, Shenzhen and other parts of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), facilitating the aggregation of Chinese data from around the world and the development of related industries, forming an industrial cluster effect and driving the vigorous development of data and AI industries across the GBA.

A spokesperson for the ITIB said, "The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster will provide crucial support for the development of AI in Hong Kong with essential elements such as data and computing power, deepening Hong Kong's leading advantage in regional digital infrastructure and cross-boundary data flow, promoting the development of the digital economy and smart city, as well as making an active contribution to the country's high-quality development and the 'AI+' initiative."

The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site, Photo source: FB of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau

ExCo Non-official Members congratulate successful launch of manned Shenzhou-23 spacecraft

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (May 24) warmly congratulate the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship. They extend their highest respect to all crew members, including Dr Lai Ka-ying, the first payload expert from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, "This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. This mission is the first manned spaceflight during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the first time a Hong Kong expert has participated, which is a truly momentous occasion. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the country for providing Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent with this invaluable opportunity to take part in the country's aerospace endeavours. Dr Lai has successfully undergone the rigorous selection and training process to become one of the country's fourth batch of astronauts, and China's fourth female astronaut to reach space, contributing Hong Kong's strength to the national aerospace endeavours. She has exemplified the Lion Rock spirit of rising to challenges with resilience and perseverance. Her courage and determination are truly admirable, and all Hong Kong citizens are immensely inspired and proud of her. The understanding and support of her family are also essential for her to participate in this mission with resolution. I am deeply grateful for their support and commitment.

"The HKSAR Government is actively developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre and supporting promising research projects through various funding schemes. As an example, the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) camera, developed under a project led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and funded by the Government's Innovation and Technology Support Programme Special Call on Aerospace Technology, has successfully arrived at China's Tiangong Space Station, becoming Hong Kong's first scientific payload aboard the station. This fully demonstrates Hong Kong's innovation and technology edge and talent advantages."

Non-official Members of the Executive Council expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the country for its high recognition of Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent, development and achievements, as well as its profound emphasis, care and support for Hong Kong's scientific and technological development. They firmly believe that the HKSAR Government will seize this historic moment to nurture more outstanding innovation and technology talent for the country and Hong Kong, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

Source: AI-found images