Xie Zhanhuan: As of the end of May, the cross-departmental working group on hydrogen energy has tentatively agreed to 38 hydrogen energy trial projects, covering applications such as transportation.

On June 10th, the Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong, Wong Kam-sing, replied to lawmakers by stating that the SAR Government has established a cross-departmental working group on hydrogen energy since 2022 to coordinate the preparation of local hydrogen fuel applications by various policy bureaus and departments. Since its establishment, the working group has actively coordinated and reviewed local hydrogen energy application pilot projects. As of the end of May 2026, the working group has tentatively approved 38 hydrogen energy pilot projects covering applications in transportation, infrastructure, and on-site hydrogen power generation equipment. Wong Kam-sing stated that at a meeting in February, the working group, based on industry feedback and approval experiences, discussed and formulated optimization measures to streamline approval procedures. The measures include exemptions from quantitative risk assessment for projects with mature technologies and low risks (such as on-site hydrogen power generators that meet specific safety regulations), and exemptions from submitting designated technical data for previously approved hydrogen power generator models. Regarding hydrogen fuel cell vehicle projects, the working group has revised the relevant application forms and optimized procedures to allow applicants to submit proof documents in stages when applying for pilot projects, thereby reducing the time to obtain tentative approval. In addition, the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has developed the "Hong Kong Hydrogen Installation Quantitative Risk Assessment Research Guidelines" to assess the safety risks of hydrogen fuel applications in different scenarios. For further measures to promote the development of hydrogen energy, Wong Kam-sing stated that the "Gas Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2025," approved by the Hong Kong Legislative Council, was published in the gazette on July 25, 2025. The government is currently drafting subsidiary legislation and aims to submit it to the Legislative Council for scrutiny within the year through the "make provision first, scrutinize later" procedure. In terms of standards development, the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is developing a green hydrogen and low-carbon hydrogen certification framework and completed industry consultations in April this year. Wong Kam-sing also introduced that the construction of Hong Kong's first landfill gas-to-hydrogen facility (located in the expansion section of the Southeast New Territories landfill) has been completed, and testing is expected to begin in June this year, with production planned to supply green hydrogen in the second half of the year. Furthermore, the government has launched a funding program through the "New Energy Transport Fund," reserving HKD 100 million in the first phase to support local companies in testing and purchasing hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty vehicles, setting up refueling facilities, and subsidizing hydrogen fuel expenses during the trial period, with a maximum funding limit of HKD 10 million per project. The "Low Carbon Green Research Fund" has also approved 13 research projects related to hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell development.