Operations Review – Regulatory Services

With the concerted effort of various sectors of society, the COVID-19 epidemic gradually subsided in early 2023. As society got back on track, endeavouring to build a vibrant economy and strive for development, we actively sought breakthroughs in line with the general trends of social developments during the year. Apart from strengthening cross-border and international cooperation, we have vigorously promoted the development of innovation and technology (I&T), actively enhancing the quality and efficiency of our services to reinforce E&M safety. We have also been steadily implementing the “Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong”, building a brighter future for society.

Fulfilling Our Duties to Prevent Accidents and Benefit the Public

Not only must we meet challenges as they arise, but we must also take proactive measures to prevent issues before they occur. As the gatekeeper of E&M safety in Hong Kong, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) must ensure that the E&M trade effectively implements guidelines on operational safety, thereby building the capacity to resist risks.

A stable and reliable power supply is crucial to the daily lives of Hong Kong citizens and economic activities at all levels. In June 2022 and April 2023, the CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) and the Hongkong Electric Company Limited (HK Electric)experienced a cable bridge incident and a power supply incident respectively. To prevent recurrence of similar incidents, the EMSD has strengthened its regulation of the power companies during the year, significantly increasing the frequency of inspections, and urging the two power companies to implement a series of improvement measures, such as enhancing risk assessments of cable bridges and other infrastructures as well as commissioning work. Under our close monitoring of their improvement progress, all major improvement measures had been implemented by the end of 2023.

Besides, in order to mitigate the impact of extreme weather on the stability of power supply, we regularly reviewed the resilience of power supply facilities against extreme weather with the power companies and followed up on corresponding improvement measures. At the same time, we encouraged the power companies to explore the use of various innovations and technologies. For instance, CLP Power introduced a smart management system this year to monitor the condition of substations and overhead lines in real time and round the clock, so as to better understand the system operation for enhancing response capabilities. Besides, sudden voltage dips may affect lift service, so we have established a communication mechanism with the lift trade to notify registered lift contractors in case of incidents for mobilising manpower flexibly to swiftly restore lift operations in affected areas as soon as possible, so as to reduce the inconvenience to the public.

Extreme weather poses a threat to E&M facilities, while aging facilities can lead to frequent accidents. Therefore, the EMSD requires the industry to enhance the management of its assets by carrying out regular maintenance of aging facilities and timely introducing appropriate innovative technologies. These include collecting big data for analysis and utilising more robust materials and reliable techniques to ensure that facilities and services achieve a stable level of performance, thereby improving management efficiency.

On railway, in mid-2024, the Railways Branch of the EMSD, in collaboration with various government departments, monitored a massive asset renewal project undertaken by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) at the tunnel section of Yau Ma Tei Station, to make sure that the project was completed on time and in compliance with safety regulations, thus holisticallyensuring railway safety. This project is a significant asset renewal initiative in the history of the railway network of Hong Kong, with a pre-assessment of construction time lasting 28 hours and involving nearly a thousand working personnel. In terms of safety, the MTRCL used a Smart Site Safety System (4S) to monitor the condition of workers within the tunnel for improving construction site safety. Not only was the planning thorough and effective, but our officers also proactively identified potential defects before issues arose, demonstrating the prevention strategies and their professionalism. Regarding lift safety, we have collaborated with the Urban Renewal Authority to implement the Lift Modernisation Subsidy Scheme in recent years. As society returns to normalcy after the epidemic, the modernisation works of approximately 5 100 lifts have either commenced planning or are under construction as of March 2024. Among them, the works of around 800 lifts have been completed. We will continue to implement the scheme to enhance lift safety.

Looking ahead, the EMSD will continue to fully discharge its duties as a regulator, and prepare for worst-case scenarios with the bottom-line thinking. We will strictly urge all stakeholders in the E&M industry to earnestly implement all safety operation guidelines and endeavour to eliminate potential risks. Other than that, the EMSD will also play a role in facilitating cross-sector technological exchanges. We believe that lessons learned from other industries can engender success in accident prevention. The successful experiences of individual stakeholders can also inspire the industry. We will actively share diverse experience, working hand in hand with the industry towards "zero accidents”.

Striving for Carbon Neutrality and Actively Developing New Energy

In response to Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, the EMSD spares no effort in promoting energy saving and carbon emission reduction to strive for carbon neutrality before 2050. To achieve this goal, not only do we actively develop clean energy, but we also encourage the trade to adopt I&T solutions to reduce energy consumption. Meanwhile, we step up public education and promotion of energy conservation to expedite the pace of decarbonisation.

On green transport, the EMSD reviewed the documents related to the safety and technologies of the trial projectson hydrogen fuel technology, and submitted recommendations to the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (the Working Group) in the year 2023/24. Having regard to our suggestion, the Working Group gave agreement-in-principle to a total of 14 applications of trial projects, including hydrogen fuel cell double-deckers, hydrogen fuelled light rail vehicles and hydrogen power generation at construction sites. Amongst these projects, the first hydrogen filling station in Hong Kong was officially launched on 30 November 2023, and the first hydrogen fuel cell double-decker in Hong Kong, also the first local hydrogen vehicle, commenced passenger service on 25 February 2024.

After benchmarking relevant regulations and standards in the Mainland and overseas, consulting the professional bodies, trade and stakeholders, and considering the actual situation of Hong Kong, we published during the year three technical guidelines, i.e. the Code of Practice for Hydrogen Fuelled Vehicles and Maintenance Workshops, the Code of Practice for Hydrogen Filling Stations and the Guidance Note on Quantitative Risk Assessment Study for Hydrogen Installations in Hong Kong. They serve as interim standards for local hydrogen applications, laying a solid foundation for hydrogen development in Hong Kong. We hope that the latest developments will lead the way and inspire the industry to widely adopt hydrogen energy, thereby promoting the popularisation of its use in Hong Kong.

Regarding energy saving and green buildings, to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, the EMSD and the Environment and Ecology Bureau commenced the preparatory work for legislative amendmentsto the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (BEEO). In 2023/24, we conducted trade consultation, in which the majority of stakeholders expressed support for the proposed amendments, agreeingto work together to realise the vision outlined in Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050.

The government has taken the lead in applying renewable energy in government buildings and facilities. It will launch a Pilot Scheme on Building-Integrated Photovoltaics at the EMSD headquarters to provide green electricity for the building, and meanwhile explore photovoltaic technology applications on the facades of other public and private buildings.

Achieving carbon neutrality requires the participation of the entire community in energy saving and carbon emission reduction. To enhance public awareness of environmental protection, Phase IV of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) was implemented in September 2023. The MEELS covers in total 11 categories of household appliances which account for approximately 80% of total residential energy consumption. It is expected that the full implementation of Phase IV of the MEELS will help save around 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to an annual reduction of approximately 725 000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

There are also new developments in the Kai Tak District Cooling System (DCS). The construction of the third plant of the DCS commenced in 2020, and it is expected to be commissioned in phases in 2024. Once the entire DCS is fully operational, it is estimated that 138 million kilowatt-hours of electricity will be saved per year, amounting to an annual reduction of 96 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Moving forward, we will continue to promote energy conservation and environmental protection, striving towards carbon neutrality together with the community.

Leveraging I&T to Strengthen Regulation and Leading the Trade toInnovate Boldly

The EMSD is committed to promoting the development of I&T in Hong Kong. In addition to enhancing ourdigital capabilities and spearheading digital transformation, wealso encourage the E&M industry to applyI&T solutions to push the boundaries further in optimising their services. We launched the Digital Log-books for Lifts and Escalators in November 2022to realise the digitalisation of log-books, facilitating joint monitoring of maintenance work by various stakeholders,and thereby enhancing the effectiveness of lift and escalator management. Since its roll-out, the system has received high acclaim from the responsible persons for the lifts/escalators (RPs), the lift/escalator trade, as well as the property management sector, with the adoption ratesteadilyincreasing.

As the industry gradually embraces digitalisation, the data collected from the Digital Log-bookscan be transferred to machine learning platforms, which will facilitate big data analysis. As such, not only does it enablethe precise allocation of resources, but more prompt and accurateanalysis can also be carried out to identify the root causes of problems. We are actively enhancing the functions of the Digital Log-books, including the development of theLift and Escalator Condition Analysis System (LECAS).The LECAS will conduct artificial intelligenceanalysis onthe photos of the main components of lifts and escalators collected,so as to assess the condition of those components,as well as that of the lifts and escalators concerned, and the analysis results will thenbe disseminated to the RPs, contractors and our officersthrough the Digital Log-books platform for appropriate follow-up. It is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year, and we are planning to extendthe applicationofthe technology to other E&M systems.

The EMSD, on one hand, actively appliesI&T solutions, and on the other hand, endeavoured to promoteI&Tapplications to the trade. By setting a good example, we encourage the E&M sector to pursue more promising I&Tprojects to enhance safetyintheir respective fields. Throughout the year, our E&M InnoPortal has collected the service wishesof various government departments, public organisations and the E&M industry for which we invitedthe I&T sector, including start-ups and universities to propose relevant I&T solutions for matching. We also conducted field trials for successfully matched I&Twishes and solutions in a bid to promote and drive the research and development as well asapplication of innovative technologies.

In addition, we completed the development of the “Gas Pipe Health AI Prediction Model” this year. Using big data and AItechnologies, the model cananalyse and predict the health condition of gas risersof buildings. In January 2024,we signed a licensing agreement with The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, allowing them to use this model for monitoring the health condition ofgas risersand drawing up predictive maintenance plansto enhance gas safety.

Looking ahead, the EMSD will continue to play a central role in promoting I&T. Internally, we will actively use technologies such as big data and AI to expedite the work processes and further enhance the standard of regulatory services. Externally, we will continue to collaborate with various sectors to promote the application of new technologies, and help different stakeholders identify suitableand proven I&Tsolutions. We will be bold in innovating and make every endeavour to benefit our society.

Deepening Cross-Border Cooperation and Engaging with the International Industry

The EMSD continued to serve as a “super-connector” this year, actively linking the Mainland with the international community to enhance regulation concerning E&M safety and energy efficiency. In addition to sharing regulatory experience with the Mainland, we were deepening our collaboration to achieve mutual access between the two places. Furthermore, we strived to play a significant role in regional organisations to showcase I&T concepts to the world.

This year, the EMSD hosted two significant events in Hong Kong, namely the Meeting of Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis (EGEDA) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Capacity Building Training on Retro-commissioning (RCx) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Both events attracted numerous national and regional experts. The former focused on discussions regarding an overview of energy supply and demand in APEC, the progress on APEC goals, and data collection of new energy technologies. The latter provided a platform for participants to share insights, experience and technical applications regarding RCx. Through these events, we exchanged information on the development of the E&M trades among various economies and also foster international collaboration by showcasing the latest developments in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Apart from the above events, we hosted the 71st International Meeting of Technical Authorities for Cableways (ITTAB) for the first time this year. The meeting brought together 29 international cableway experts from 13 jurisdictions to exchange the latest information and developments concerning cableway systems. In addition, in collaboration with the National Railway Administration, we will host the next International Railway Safety Council (IRSC) annual conference in 2025, continuing to tell the world the good stories of our country and Hong Kong.

In terms of collaboration with the Mainland, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the cooperation between the EMSD and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). Not only did we organise a ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Cooperation Arrangement on Electrical and Mechanical Products Safety and Energy Efficiency, but we also set up a retrospective exhibition at the venue of the ceremony to showcase the journey, achievements and future outlook of our collaboration.

Furthermore, during the year, we explored the establishment of a new partnership with the State Administration for Market Regulation to enhance our joint efforts in promoting cooperation and exchanges in the areas of hydrogen energy development, gas safety, household electrical product safety, machinery safety, electrical product safety, energy efficiency of products, carbon footprint, carbon labelling, metrology and standard alignment, with a view to raising the standard of quality control and safety regulation of the relevant equipment between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

With the support of the GACC, the EMSD reached a consensus on cooperation withe-commerce platforms in the Mainland in 2023 and conducted a trial during the year to block for Hong Kong users the ordering web pages of adaptors and extension units that do not comply with the safety requirements in Hong Kong, so as to prevent citizens from purchasing non-compliant products. Through our close collaboration with Mainland organisations and national agencies, E&M safety can be further safeguarded.

Cultivating Talent in the E&M Industry with a Multifaceted Approach to Infuse New Blood

The E&M industry is a vital pillar of society, and nurturing future E&M professionals is an essential part of the future development of Hong Kong. To this end, the EMSD not only attracts talented individuals, but also, through a system of qualification recognition and continuing professional development, ensures that the professional knowledge and skills in the E&M industry are passed down to the next generation, and at the same time enhances the professional image of the industry.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies amid the changing times, some say that the world has entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Regardless of societal changes, the EMSD remains committed to cultivating future E&M talent. We encourage the youth to broaden their horizons and embrace new ideas and approaches. Externally, by organising multiple outreach activities this year, visiting a total of 627 schools, including 431 kindergartens, 107 primary schools, 84 secondary schools, and 5 post-secondary institutions and training centres, as well as through the E&M Young Ambassador (EMYA) Programme and various youth promotion initiatives, we promote E&M safety, energy efficiency and the development of the E&M industry to young people. In addition, following the introduction of a STEAM educational kit for primary schools in the 2022/23 academic year, we collaborated with the Education Bureau and the Energy Advisory Committee to develop a STEAM education kit for secondary schools. This kit was officially incorporated into the secondary school curriculum of the 2023/24 academic year, enabling students to understand renewable energy through interactive learning and arousing their interest in clean energy and low-carbon living practices. Internally, we provided young employees with diverse opportunities of visits and exchanges to equip them for more holistic development.

In terms of training and registration within the trade, starting from 3 July 2023, registered vehicle mechanics (RVMs) can directly obtain qualification certificates at Level 3 in the relevant service classes through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism. Moreover, the qualifications at Level 3 acquired under the RPL mechanism of the automotive industry and acknowledged by the Vocational Qualifications Pathway are accepted as recognised qualifications under the Voluntary Registration Scheme for Vehicle Mechanics. This initiative helps further raise the professional standards of RVMs, while allowing experienced mechanics without formal qualifications to enter the system.

In addition, the EMSD launched the Voluntary Registration Scheme for Technicians Handling Mildly Flammable Refrigerant of Household Air-conditioners, aiming to improve the installation and maintenance standards of household air-conditioners using mildly flammable refrigerant and enhance the image of the industry. In the future, we will continue to encourage the industry to strive for continuous improvement to enhance the quality and image of practitioners for the benefit of the public and consumers.

THE YEAR AHEAD

No matter during the COVID-19 epidemic or in the post-epidemic period, the EMSD has remained steadfast in our commitment to enhancing industry safety and quality, promoting energy efficiency, and adopting green energy solutions, with a view to achieving excellence in all aspects of our work. We firmly believe that reliable E&M services enable citizens to live with peace of mind, while advancing I&T development can pave the way for a brighter future for all.

This year, the EMSD rose to numerous challenges by connecting with various sectors, collaborating with regulatees, industry partners, academia, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations, training institutions and the public to pursue development and well-being together. We sincerely thank our colleagues and all stakeholders for their unwavering support.

Looking ahead, we will continue to do our utmost to develop innovative technologies, as well as working alongside the industry and our partners in the Greater Bay Area to diligently prevent accidents and achieve carbon neutrality. We will also actively promote E&M safety and energy efficiency to the younger generation, and inject new talent into the industry, with a view to passing down our wisdom and creating new chapters together. We look forward to continuing our efforts with everyone in the coming year to develop Hong Kong into an enjoyable and hopeful place to live and work.