| Q. 1 |
What key requirements should be considered during the planning stage if I want to apply DCServ? |
|
A. 1
|
During the Planning Stage, the applicant shall write to EMSD to obtain the location(s) of DCS valve chamber designated to the proposed development for their planning on the disposition of the DCS substation(s) and the relevant pipe trench layout within the site boundary. The applicant shall prepare relevant documentation based on discussion with EMSD and submit Form DCS-1 for Stage 1 - Application for Participation. The submission shall include the estimated maximum cooling capacity and the estimated minimum cooling capacity under both full-load and part-load conditions. Based on these estimates, the applicant shall design suitable DCS substation(s) in accordance with the Technical Guidelines for Connection to District Cooling System issued by EMSD. Upon our acceptance on Stage 1, the layout of the DCS substation(s), along with any backup air-conditioning plant room (if applicable), shall be clearly indicated in the building plans submitted to the Building Authority as part of the first General Building Plan (GBP) submission.
|
| Q. 2 |
What document should I submit for Stage 2 Technical Submission? |
|
A. 2
|
The applicant shall submit the Stage 2 Technical Submission with Form DCS-2, along with detailed cooling load calculations and comprehensive substation design information to EMSD. This includes provisions for DCS equipment delivery and hoisting, building services integration, and swept path analysis. A detailed programme of works shall also be submitted, indicating key dates relevant to DCServ, such as the date of the DCS puddle flanges within the building perimeter is in place, the handover dates for the pipe trench and substation, and the intended starting date of DCServ. The applicant should seek for EMSD's acceptance on the technical submission prior to seeking consent from the Buildings Department for the commencement of superstructure works.
|
| Q. 3 |
Are there any payments required for the application, and when should they be paid? |
|
A. 3
|
Upon EMSD's acceptance of the Stage 2 Technical Submission, the applicant may apply for the approved consumer of DCServ. The applicant shall submit the prescribed Application Form for District Cooling Services and Form DCS-3, stating the intended contract cooling capacity and the intended starting date of DCServ supply. This submission shall be supported by detailed cooling load calculations. The cooling capacity, once agreed by the DEMS, shall become the contract cooling capacity upon approval of the application. The applicant shall also arrange for the payment of the required deposit in accordance with EMSD's instructions. Applicant shall complete stage 3 application and proceed payment at least 1 year before intended starting date.
The applicant will be notified on the approval as the approved consumer of DCServ, of the contract cooling capacity and the agreed starting date on which the applicant becomes, or is taken to have become, the approved consumer for the building by EMSD after submission of Application Form. The agreed starting date will be the commencement date on which charges for the DCServ provided to the building are payable by the approved consumer for the building. The approved consumer shall pay deposit for the DCServ in accordance with the provisions in the Ordinance. EMSD will notify the approved consumer of any deposit which may be payable.
|
| Q. 4 |
When the pipe trench and substation are ready for handover, What should I do for the next? |
|
A. 4
|
When the pipe trench and substation are ready for handover, the approved consumer shall inform EMSD by the Stage 4 submission with a href="/filemanager/en/content_737/DCS-4_2026_11_R8-01_Clean.pdf" target="_blank">Form DCS-4 and coordinate with EMSD to arrange a joint site inspection. This inspection shall confirm that the site is ready for the installation of DCServ equipment by EMSD's contractor. The approved consumer shall handover the pipe trench and substation to EMSD at least five months before agreed starting date. The approved consumer shall ensure that site access and necessary provisions are in place to facilitate smooth execution of the installation and commissioning works. Delayed handover of pipe trench and substation may lead to deferring DCS equipment installation and subsequently the starting date of DCServ.
|
| Q. 5 |
When will be the commencement of the DCServ ready after the installation of the DCServ equipment? |
|
A. 5
|
Once the DCServ equipment is being installed on site, the approved consumer may proceed to the final stage of the application. The approved consumer shall conduct a final inspection to ensure the consumer building is ready for starting DCServ and complete the Form DCS-5 for this stage. The completed form shall be submitted to EMSD for final review least one week before the agreed starting date. EMSD will conduct a final check to ensure that all technical and site conditions are satisfactorily met prior to the commencement of service.
For the application to become the consumer of an existing building, the DEMS may approve any person who meets the criteria stipulated in Section 4(4) of the Ordinance as the approved consumer for the building. Every reasonable effort will be made by EMSD to provide DCServ by the date required by consumer. However, no guarantee of provision of DCServ by a particular date can be given.
|
| Q. 6 |
What should I do if I want to change the contract cooling capacity? |
|
A. 6
|
The approved consumer may make an application to EMSD for a change (either to increase or to reduce) of contract cooling capacity in which the proposed effective date for the revised contract cooling capacity should be specified by the approved consumer. Unless a prior agreement has been made with EMSD for the ramp-up schedule of contract cooling capacity in Stage 3 Application, an approved consumer seeking to increase the contract cooling capacity shall submit an application to EMSD for approval one year before the proposed date. Application for supply or increase of contract cooling capacity may necessitate the installation of new DCServ equipment and underground pipes or other special arrangements. It is important that application using the specified Application Form should be submitted to EMSD as early in advance as practicable.
The feasibility of meeting such increase in the cooling capacity demand will be subject to the feasibility to upgrade the existing DCS. If the increase is feasible, the actual starting date of the increased cooling capacity shall be subject to the completion of necessary engineering works and further agreement between EMSD and the approved consumer. On the other hand, the existing approved consumer may only be allowed to reduce the contract cooling capacity after one year of continuous DCServ subscription at the current contract cooling capacity.
The approved consumer may make an application to EMSD for an increase or a reduction of the contract cooling capacity before the completion of one year continuous subscription at the current cooling capacity , but the intended starting date of the increased or reduced cooling capacity as proposed by the approved consumer should be bound by the requirements as stipulated above (i.e. at least one year after the date of application for an increase of contract cooling capacity, and after the completion of at least one year continuous subscription at the current contract cooling capacity for a reduction of contract cooling capacity). The approved consumer who intends to subscribe at a lower contract cooling capacity in the beginning and to increase the contract cooling capacity subsequently in view of his or her building's partial cooling demand should pay attention to the above requirements.
The approved consumer shall submit supporting details including revised cooling load calculation, revised substation layouts (if any) and operation record in the submission of application of change (whether to reduce or to increase) of contract cooling capacity for EMSD's consideration. The submission and approval procedures for change of contract cooling capacity are set out in Appendix B of the Supply Conditions.
|
| Q. 7 |
During Testing and Commissioning of A/C system, can I apply for temporary suspension after DCServ commencement |
|
A. 7
|
To facilitate the testing and commissioning (T&C) of consumer's side air-conditioning system during building construction, the approved consumer may apply for a temporary suspension of DCServ by submitting the application form (which can be obtained from the EMSD's website) together with detailed testing and commissioning plans of consumer-side for EMSD's review. Upon EMSD's approval, EMSD or the Operator will arrange to suspend the chilled water supply at the primary side of heat exchanger for the requested period. The suspension period shall not exceed 14 consecutive days. The temporary suspension of DCServ is an administrative arrangement to avoid any over loading that caused by the T&C activities. During this temporary suspension, the approved consumer remains liable for all charges corresponding to the contracted cooling capacity as stipulated in the Ordinance.
|
