Hutchison Ports Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) received two new quay cranes, after an investment of HK$78 million (US$10 million), which are Hong Kong’s first quay cranes equipped with solar panels on top of machinery house.
The company tries to explore new alternatives to reduce its operational impacts on the environment and become a green port. Moreover, the company supports the HKSAR government’s Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 with an aim towards carbon neutrality.
According to HIT, the photovoltaic system is comprised of 84 solar panels, that have been installed on the quay cranes.
HIT explained in its statement, “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 42,000Wh of energy with a 98.75% system efficiency.
Along with the solar panels previously installed in 8 car parks and 24 substations, the accumulated total energy generated will be over 1.6 million kWh per year, which is equivalent to the amount of energy needed to charge roughly 3,920 electric cars for a month or 875,000 smartphones for a year.”
In 2022, Hutchison Port Holdings Trust reported emissions intensity of 11.790* (kg CO2e/Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), representing a decrease of 17% compared to 2021. Aside from solar energy, HIT has also adopted a series of measures in energy saving and emissions reduction including deploying electric vehicles, converting hybrid power systems of rubber-tyred gantry cranes to electric systems as well as promoting the efficient use of electricity consumption.
Ivor Chow, managing director of HIT, commented, “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.”
