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(19 May 2026) The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) welcomes the research report on Hong Kong’s hydrogen development strategy published today by Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF). As the largest hydrogen producer in the city, Towngas will continue to capitalise on its unique advantages to fully support the decarbonisation targets of the country and the HKSAR Government, driving the comprehensive development of Hong Kong’s hydrogen ecosystem.
In response to OHKF’s research report, Towngas puts forward the following responses and recommendations:
1. Advocating for a dedicated “Energy Office” to refine long-term policy planning
Given the global emphasis on energy autonomy and the clear directives for green energy development in the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Towngas agrees with the report’s assertion that Hong Kong needs to adapt its governance structure to accelerate the city’s energy transition. Towngas supports the report’s recommendation for the HKSAR Government to establish an “Energy Office”, which could eventually be upgraded to an “Energy Bureau”. Setting up a dedicated department for energy affairs would allow for policy formulation from the perspectives of energy resilience and security, thereby facilitating forward-looking energy development more efficiently.
2. Setting a two-month approval KPI to facilitate “early and pilot implementation”
The industry has widely reflected that the approval process for hydrogen trial projects currently takes many months. Regarding the report’s proposal to shorten the approval timeframe of the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (IWG), Towngas agrees with setting clear key performance indicators (KPIs). For instance, deciding whether to issue an agreement-in-principle within two months of receiving an application would, without compromising safety standards, allow the industry to commence preliminary preparations early. This would fulfil the original intent behind the IWG’s establishment to facilitate “early and pilot implementation”, accelerating the rollout of trial projects and accumulating practical experience for Hong Kong’s hydrogen development.
3. Utilising the construction industry fund to foster a “green construction site” win-win-win scenario
The report proposes optimising the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund under the Construction Industry Council. Towngas suggests fully incorporating equipment such as hydrogen generators into the pre-approved list to expedite their deployment. It must be noted that deploying hydrogen equipment on construction sites not only achieves zero emissions, but its noise-free nature also significantly reduces the impact on nearby residents. This indirectly allows for extended site operating hours, creating a win-win-win situation for contractors, the public, and urban development.
4. Spearheading green hydrogen pilot projects to help establish a green hydrogen certification system
Addressing Hong Kong’s current lack of hydrogen purity testing and certification capabilities, Towngas will fully cooperate with the Government’s upcoming green hydrogen scheme. The Company will use its first green hydrogen project as a pilot to actively participate in data collection, assisting Hong Kong in establishing a robust green hydrogen certification standard that aligns with international practices.
Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong, Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Hong Kong Business, said, “We are highly encouraged by the constructive proposals put forward by OHKF. Given the rapid development of new energy in neighbouring regions, Hong Kong must not slow its pace. We hope the Government will streamline the approval mechanism and cut through red tape as soon as possible. By establishing a dedicated Energy Office or even a policy bureau, the Government can lead Hong Kong to precisely align with the green development strategies of the national 15th Five-Year Plan. Towngas will continue to serve as a promoter and pioneer of the hydrogen ecosystem, taking practical actions so that the people of Hong Kong can experience the fresh air and green economic benefits brought by hydrogen energy.”
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For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Mr Julius Chow
Senior Corporate Affairs Officer
Tel: 2963 3471 / 6969 1360
Email: julius.chow@towngas.com
