Hutchison Ports’ Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) has invested HK$78 million ($9.9 million) in two new solar panel quay cranes, which are reportedly the first to arrive in Hong Kong.
This investment will likely help the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government’s Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050, which aims for carbon neutrality.
Ivor Chow, Managing Director of HIT said: “HIT is committed to managing its carbon footprints by exploring environmentally sustainable alternatives.
“With the installation of solar panels on quay cranes, we are glad to be taking our green mission to the next level and support Hong Kong in becoming a low-carbon and green city.
“Looking ahead, we will continue our endeavours in optimising terminal facilities and exploring other applications of renewable energy to build a sustainable port ecosystem.”
The photovoltaic system, comprising of 84 solar panels, have been installed on the quay cranes.
Energy collected will be used to power auxiliary systems including air conditioning and lighting systems in the quay cranes.
With estimated three hours of exposure to sunlight every day, the photovoltaic system on quay cranes will be able to generate roughly 42,000 watt-hour (Wh) of energy with a 98.75 per cent system efficiency.
With the solar panels already installed in eight car parks and 24 substations, the total energy generated will be more than 1.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, which is equivalent to the amount of energy required to charge approximately 3,920 electric cars for a month or 875,000 smartphones for a year.
Aside from solar energy, HIT has reportedly implemented a number of energy-saving and emissions-reduction measures, such as the deployment of electric vehicles, the conversion of hybrid power systems of rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to electric systems, and the promotion of efficient electricity consumption.
In March 2023, HPH Trust announced the deployment of 5G technology at the container terminals under its Hong Kong operations.
More recently, in June 2023, Hutchison Ports and King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) announced the signing of a concession agreement to manage and operate SPARK’s dry port and bonded logistics zone.
