CLP gas generators can be carbon neutral: Green Earth

The executive director of Green Earth, Edwin Lau, says it will be possible for CLP’s new gas-fired generator to become carbon neutral, if it is eventually tweaked to use green hydrogen – hydrogen gas that is produced using renewable energy.

The HK$6 billion unit at Lung Kwu Tan near Tuen Mun was put into operation last year, increasing the ratio of natural gas used in its fuel mix by about 20 percentage points to 50 percent.

The government, though, is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and Lau says green hydrogen can be gradually introduced into the mix.

“Because hydrogen and natural gas – both are gases – so they can easily have some tweaks in the gas turbine and then it can burn green hydrogen using the same turbine,” Lau said.

“And the turbine’s life-span, according to CLP, is about 35 years.”

Lau said the existing plant is already 60 percent efficient, one of the highest efficiencies in the world.

Another gas-fired generator will be commissioned next year.