SEN sees latest technology in Japan waste incineration and electric vehicles
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, has seen firsthand the latest technology in waste incineration and electric vehicles (EVs) during a brief stay in Tokyo, Japan today (September 16).
Mr Yau joined a Hong Kong delegation of District Councillors from Tuen Mun and Islands Districts in a visit to Shin Koto Incineration Plant in Tokyo this morning.
As the biggest waste incineration facility in Tokyo, the Shin Koto Incineration Plant has a capacity to process 1,800 tonnes of waste a day. Mr Yau was told that heat from the plant's incineration process was recovered to generate electricity and for use in nearby community facilities including swimming pool, botanic garden and hotel. The plant also employs state-of-the-art technology to prevent air pollution.
In the afternoon, Mr Yau visited Nissan Motor Co, Ltd and met Mr Toshiyuki Shiga, Chief Operating Officer and Dr Andrew Palmer, senior vice-president of the company. They discussed collaboration proposals in promoting EVs in Hong Kong pursuant to the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding in April 2009. Mr Yau was also briefed on the new LEAF EV developed by Nissan.
Mr Yau proceeded to the Nissan Advanced Technology Center where he took the opportunity to drive the Tiida-based EV prototype being developed by Nissan.
"I am glad to have an opportunity to exchange views with Nissan's management today on the progress in the collaboration of promoting EVs in Hong Kong," Mr Yau said.
"I have conveyed to them the clear intention of the Hong Kong Government to work with Nissan closely with a view to bringing the Nissan EVs to the Hong Kong market as early as possible."
Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong this evening.
The 35-member delegation, which also comprises representatives of the Environmental Protection Department, is in Tokyo to see how advanced incineration technologies are operated there. It will also visit waste treatment facilities in Osaka before returning to Hong Kong tomorrow (September 17).