The operations of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF) sustained steady growth in the year 2022/23. The total revenue increased from HK$8,719 million in 2021/22 to HK$8,911 million in 2022/23, representing a growth of approximately 2.2%. The return on revenue slightly decreased to 2.6%, which was aligned with our cost recovery principle. The decrease could be attributed to a significant increase in the amount of value-added services provided to our customers last year, particularly during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, which were our endeavours to ride out difficult times with our client departments and help them retain funding for delivery of public services.
Bumper Harvest
2022/23 could be seen as a year of good harvest for the EMSTF. By “harvest”, we do not mean substantial increases in revenue or headcount, but rather key achievements in three aspects.
To begin with, our latest Customer Opinion Survey conducted between October and December 2022 received enthusiastic customer responses and excellent results. The Customer Satisfaction Index recorded 7.03 and the Overall Service Competitiveness Index reached 7.06, while the response rate was 58.7%, marking record highs for all three indicators.
In addition, our commitment to quality services and efforts in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) garnered significant recognition in both local and international competitions. Of note, the EMSD surpassed previous achievements in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme by winning an impressive total of 13 awards in 2022. As the Innovation Facilitator of the Government, we spearheaded various I&T projects that won multiple awards during the year. Particularly remarkable was our performance at the prestigious International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2023 where we clinched a total of 23 awards, including one special award, three gold, seven silver and twelve bronze medals.
Furthermore, we have always been proactive in promoting knowledge management to enhance work efficiency and quality. Our initiatives in this regard were recognised with notable accolades such as the Hong Kong Most Innovative Knowledge Enterprise (MIKE) Award 2022 and the Global MIKE Award 2022. Thanks to the investments we have made in digitalisation, fostering an I&T culture, and talent development during the implementation of the second Five-year Strategic Plan, we are now entering the harvest stage of fruitful achievements.
Operation Highlights
In the past year, our colleagues demonstrated excellent performance, agility and flexibility in handling unexpected incidents and challenges. For example, when New Territories West was hit by a major power outage after a fire broke out at a cable bridge in June 2022, our colleagues' concerted effort enabled a swift response and full support in managing the territory-wide emergency, helping hospitals and other client facilities overcome the situation smoothly.
During the year, we closely collaborated with our client departments on several infrastructure projects. We supported various government departments in designing, constructing and commissioning electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems for the Three-runway System, including customs, immigration and port health control facilities, at the Hong Kong International Airport. We also provided E&M support and technical assessment, including advice for system design, testing and commissioning, factory and site acceptance tests, for the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel (TKO-LT Tunnel) and the Cross Bay Link, Tseung Kwan O prior to their commissioning.
As these infrastructure projects unfold, new business opportunities emerge. We were entrusted with the maintenance services for the Airfield Ground Lighting System of the new North Runway and taxiways, as well as overseeing the operation of the tunnel operator and monitoring the traffic signal system of the TKO-LT Tunnel.
Besides, while we secured three tenders to provide maintenance services for the E&M, air-conditioning, and building services equipment of five hospitals, we anticipate further growth in our business as the two Ten-year Hospital Development Plans progress.
Insights and Experience Gained from Fighting the Epidemic
Despite the unprecedented challenges posed to our team, the COVID-19 crisis has given rise to enormous opportunities for collaboration and innovation that benefitted our future work. One of the valuable lessons we learned from battling the epidemic is the significant role of innovative technology solutions in addressing various challenges. With this in mind, our colleagues became more engaged in advancing I&T application as well as research and development (R&D). Examples included the use of robots for cleaning and disinfection or delivery, and the installation of Mobile Modular High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter Units for converting general wards into second-tier isolation wards.
The epidemic has also brought about significant changes within our Department, with a stronger sense of unity and flexibility fostered within our team in particular. To meet the operational needs of various large-scale anti-epidemic efforts, including “restriction-testing declaration” operations and ventilation assessments for over 700 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities, seamless cross-divisional co-ordination and flexible manpower deployment were required. These experiences have made our team more agile and resilient.
Moreover, the epidemic has revolutionised our approach to work, including wider application of information technology as well as adoption of a hybrid mode that enables both physical and virtual participation for events. This shift has not only enhanced our efficiency but also opened up new avenues for innovation.
Committed to Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction
Energy saving and carbon reduction were among our key focus areas in 2022/23. In line with the Government's goals in this regard, we have been providing green solutions to our clients. Through the application of various innovative technologies, we strived to achieve the vision of zero carbon emission and carbon neutrality, contributing to the development of Hong Kong as a sustainable city.
One of the areas we worked on was the optimisation of air-conditioning systems. We collaborated with the Hospital Authority (HA) and local universities to establish the artificial intelligence (AI) chiller plant optimisation systems for various HA buildings and hospitals, and implemented the AI Energy Optimisation Solution for the chiller plant system of the Civil Aviation Department Headquarters.
Moreover, we conducted retro-commissioning for 17 hospital buildings to identify energy saving potential, with the ultimate goal of broadening the adoption of AI and big data, so that the aforementioned energy optimisation system can automatically provide instructions on energy management and predictive maintenance, thereby raising energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions while enhancing equipment reliability, eventually achieving more significant energy savings than retro-commissioning.
In terms of renewable energy, we actively examined the feasibility of installing a solar photovoltaic system at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port to enhance its energy efficiency. We will undertake more renewable energy projects in the future.
Nurturing Young Talent
To attract new talent to our Department and the industry, we have maintained close collaboration with the E&M trade by organising and participating in various events, such as the E&M Expo 2022 to introduce the development of the industry, and the “E&M GO!” Orientation Ceremony 2022 to welcome on board young technician trainees who recently joined the E&M industry.
Furthermore, in addition to shortening the training period, we have enhanced our Technician Training Scheme by incorporating the latest digitisation elements and utilising innovative training facilities, such as virtual reality technology, to make our courses more appealing. Additionally, we have strengthened our co-operation with the Mainland and overseas partners in talent development and I&T R&D.
Moving on to the Next Milestone
At the end of 2022, we have incorporated innovation and environmental sustainability into the Vision, Mission and Values of the EMSTF to further solidify our commitment to providing excellent services, demonstrating our determination to provide I&T-driven enhancement while putting emphasis on fostering an agile and innovative corporate culture.
The year 2022/23 marked the conclusion of the EMSTF's second Five-year Strategic Plan, and we are delighted to have achieved “E&M 2.0” through implementing three strategies: “digitisation of E&M assets”, “establishing an excellent work team”, and “adoption of I&T”.
Built upon the solid foundation laid down by the second Five-year Strategic Plan, the third Five-year Strategic Plan will be launched in 2023/24 under the theme of “E&M 3.0 - Intelligent E&M”. The plan will be driven by four innovative strategies, namely “providing customer-oriented innovative services”, “building an innovative and excellent work team”, “innovating business processes”, and “strengthening innovative collaboration between stakeholders”.
In 2023/24, we expect the EMSTF to continue strengthening collaboration with start-ups, universities and research institutions on R&D. We will leverage the role of the Government's Innovation Facilitator and serve as an integrator of I&T solutions to facilitate collaboration among multiple parties and client departments, enabling the commercialisation and wide application of valuable R&D outcomes.
All in all, the resounding success of the second Five-year Strategic Plan is attributed to the dedication of our colleagues and the trust of our clients. The steady performance of the EMSTF would not have been attainable without the guidance of the Executive Board and policy bureaux, as well as the support of various trade associations, industry partners, universities and scholars, professional bodies, training and research institutions, and many others. We express our heartfelt gratitude to every one of them, and also our sincere appreciation to EMSTF's partners in Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas.
In the coming year, we look forward to making further progress in various aspects of the EMSTF, and achieving greater accomplishments together.
