District Cooling System | Kai Tak Development, Hong Kong SAR

To air-condition buildings during Hong Kong’s hot, humid summers, the Hong Kong government planned to build a district cooling system – the first of its kind by offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative. Phased construction of the District Cooling System commenced in 2011, and operation began in 2013. It has been promoted, regulated and implemented by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the Hong Kong government, which owns it. The system was designed and built and is operated by Hong Kong District Cooling DHY Joint Venture, in which Veolia is a partner. Veolia’s subsidiary, Hong Kong District Cooling Co Ltd, is responsible for operation and management. Two plants – North Plant is located in Kowloon Bay and South Plant and seawater pumphouse sited underground on the waterfront. Seawater is used for heat rejection and warmed return seawater is discharged to the harbour. The chilled-water distribution network is a three-pipe system consisting of supply and return lines plus another standby line when the others are damaged or need maintenance. Currently it connected to 10 consumer buildings. Completion of the final phase is tentatively projected by 2025. At that time, Kai Tak DCS expects to supply chilled-water cooling service via 40 km of piping to 1.73 million sq m of floor space in 40+ customer buildings. It will have 83,000-ton cooling capacity with annual saving up to 85 million kWh annually.