Hong Kong expected to fire up first waste-to-energy incinerator by end of 2025

Environmental authorities say plant to be tested early next year, with plans in place to deal with waste delivery problems during bad weather

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I•PARK1 at Shek Kwu Chau, Hong Kong’s first waste-to-energy facility for treating solid waste is expected to start operations next year. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:25pm, 19 Jun 2024Updated: 8:07pm, 19 Jun 2024

Hong Kong’s first waste-to-energy incinerator is in its final phase of construction and environmental authorities have pledged to ensure the multibillion-dollar plant will run as normal even during bad weather after it begins operations.

The I·PARK1 incinerator, on an artificial island of about 12 hectares (29.65 acres) off Shek Kwu Chau in Hong Kong’s southwestern waters, will undergo testing early next year, the Environmental Protection Department announced on Wednesday.

“We are now full steam ahead with the construction of I·PARK1 and hope it can be completed by 2025,” Michael Lui Hok-leung, the assistant director of waste infrastructure, said.

Lui said the department aimed to commission tests early next year and expected the plant to begin full operations by the end of 2025.

I·PARK1, which costs HK$31.3 billion (US$4 billion) and has taken more than seven years to build, is part of the government’s plan to stop reliance on landfill sites by 2035.

The plant will be able to handle around 3,000 tonnes (3,307 tons) of waste a day and reduce volume by 90 per cent after treatment.