(2 August 2026) The HKSAR Government is currently consulting on its first Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) fully supports the initiative and has already submitted its proposals. The proposals cover eight major areas, including green energy transition, innovation and technology, and green finance, with the aim of helping Hong Kong foster new quality productive forces and high-quality development, while better aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan development agenda.
Regarding Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan, Towngas has put forward the following key recommendations:
1. Establish an “Energy Office” to lead the rollout of new energy and enhance governance
Energy strategy is vital to Hong Kong’s stable development and security, and related policies require high-level government planning and coordination. Towngas proposes that the HKSAR Government establish an “Energy Office” dedicated to mapping out Hong Kong’s energy development blueprint and aligning it with the national energy plan. The “Energy Office” should focus on three strategic directions: leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths to better integrate into the national development framework; coordinating resources to ensure energy security; and prioritising the commercialisation of hydrogen, green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to drive the city’s green transformation.
2. Support low-carbon shipping and aviation, and develop Hong Kong into a commodities trading and green finance hub
Towngas recommends making full use of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international hub by improving port facilities for green methanol bunkering, and further advancing the “Greater Bay Area production, Hong Kong blending and application” model for SAF. It also proposes establishing a new mechanism for trading green commodities, as well as expanding innovative financial instruments such as green infrastructure REITs, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a green finance and trading centre.
3. Introduce the concept of “zero-carbon industrial park” to build a low-carbon Northern Metropolis together
Towngas suggests that the Government refer to the mainland’s “zero-carbon industrial park” concept and incorporate new energy into the Northern Metropolis blueprint from a top-level planning perspective. This includes introducing smart gas networks and distributed energy systems in new development areas to improve energy efficiency; promoting the use of hydrogen and green methanol power generation modules in construction projects to replace diesel generators and create “green construction sites”; and reserving land for integrated energy service stations that combine EV charging, battery swapping, fuelling, hydrogen, and methanol services, thereby comprehensively driving the low-carbon transformation of transport.
4. Build a green certification hub and cultivate top-tier interdisciplinary talent
To secure market leadership, the Government should take the lead in building an internationally aligned certification system for green fuels, drawing on the industry’s experience in obtaining the country’s first batch of certifications under the Global Sustainable Transport Certification (GSTC) scheme to create a “green certification hub.” In line with industry needs, tertiary institutions are also encouraged to nurture top-tier interdisciplinary talent with expertise in green technology, finance, trade and regulatory knowledge, providing a strong foundation for the development of new energy.
5. Deepen industry-academia-research collaboration and export the “Hong Kong experience” to expand globally
Towngas proposes that the Government strategically focus on key technologies such as hydrogen, green methanol and SAF, and build strategic alliances covering “production, research, technology and market” to accelerate the transformation and commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements. At the same time, green energy enterprises should be supported in playing the roles of “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, promoting leading green technologies and management expertise to Central Asia and other countries along the Belt and Road, thereby exporting the “Hong Kong experience” in a practical way, expanding the international footprint, and enhancing Hong Kong’s strengths in the country’s green strategy.
Towngas Managing Director Mr Peter Wong Wai-yee said: “As Hong Kong’s longest-established utility company, Towngas has always supported the Government’s policies to promote Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan is of great significance, as it sets the direction for Hong Kong’s development over the next five years and enables Hong Kong to better align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and integrate more deeply into the country’s overall development. Towngas will leverage its professional strengths in the energy sector to actively contribute and support Hong Kong in seizing the abundant opportunities ahead.”
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The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
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Ms Kathy Tse |
Mr Julius Chow |