The Buildings Energy Efficiency Funding Schemes under the Environment & Conservation Fund (ECF) was rolled out in April 2009. For energy-cum-carbon audits, the schemes provide grants not exceeding 50% of the payments made, subject to a cap of HK$150,000 per grant. For energy efficiency projects, grants not exceeding 50% of the payments made are offered, subject to a cap of HK$500,000.

In order to support the schemes' implementation, a number of training courses/seminars for 800 engineers were arranged by HKIE during January-June 2009, in particular to enable members of the Building Services, Electrical, Environmental and Mechanical disciplines to become qualified service providers for energy-cum-carbon audits. As of 20 November 2009, we learnt from the Environment Bureau (EB) and Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) that 238 engineers have been included in the online register of qualified service providers for such audits. It is a good result as there is now a sufficient pool of engineers who are conversant with the requirements of the scheme.

For the energy-cum-audit scheme, 192 applications for audits were received, of which 62% were related to residential buildings. So far, 55 applications involving a grant of HK$3.2 million have been approved; the remaining cases are still being processed. It should be noted that applicants are required to commit to four years of continual audits under the energy-cum-carbon audit scheme to qualify for funding.

For the energy efficiency scheme, 705 applications were received as at November 20, of which 94 have been approved while the rest are still being processed. The grants related to these 94 applications amount to HK$27.2 million. Of the projects, 68% are related to residential buildings. In terms of project category, 64% are related to lighting and 12% are related to lifts and escalators.

Over the past year, many seminars and CPD courses have been held to raise awareness as well as to train engineers in energy and carbon audits. HKIE firmly believes that our engineers in the related disciplines are competent in carrying out audit and improvement works.

HKIE is now in discussion with EB/EMSD over waiving of the training requirements as qualified service providers for audits. EB has agreed to review the training requirements at the upcoming energy conservation projects vetting sub-committee meeting.

About the author: Ir Dr F C Chan is Vice President of HKIE.