Following is a question by the Hon Kwong Chi-kin and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 26) :
Question
It has been reported that the Administration has not properly utilized the biogas generated from sewage treatment plants. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the amount of biogas presently generated each month from each sewage treatment plant;
(b) whether it has policies on the proper utilization of the biogas; if so, of the details; and
(c) how the authorities utilize the biogas and the amount of biogas being utilized; whether the biogas has been sold; if so, of the organizations to which the biogas is sold and the amount of income received each year?
Reply
Madam President,
(a) Under the management of Drainage Services Department (DSD), there are in total four sewage treatment works employing the anaerobic digestion method for handling sludge, and producing biogas in the process. The amount of biogas generated monthly from each plant is as follows:
Sewage Treatment Plants Biogas Generation (m3/month)
*********************** *********************************
Sha Tin 330,000
Tai Po 175,000
Shek Wu Hui 150,000
Yuen Long 9,000
(b) Our policy is to utilize the biogas as far as possible; about 80% of the total biogas production is utilized at present. We currently have a pilot scheme on the use of biogas Combined Heat and Power generators at Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Plant. The results indicate that it should be possible to extend the application of Combined Heat and Power generators to other sewage treatment works to bring about even greater utilization of the biogas.
(c) About 80% of the biogas is used as fuel for electricity generation within the sewage treatment works, or as fuel for water heating to provide the necessary heat for use by the sludge digesters. No biogas is currently being sold to outside parties.
End/Wednesday, April 26, 2006
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