On the 11^th and 13^th of March, a group of undergraduate students taking the Gateway Education course GE1308, led by Prof. Sai Kishore RAVI, visited the solar farm and wastewater treatment facilities at Siu Ho Wan, managed by Drainage Services Department (DSD). This visit gave them a close look at how renewable energy is integrated into Hong Kong’s sewage treatment facilities, in line with the city’s climate action goals.

The solar farm, with over 4,200 polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels, can generate about 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This is enough to cover the annual electricity needs of roughly 230 households and helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 770 tons each year. It’s the largest facility of its kind within the government facilities in Hong Kong, covering 11,000 square meters. The facility also includes an intelligent system to quickly detect and fix any faulty PV panels, keeping the operation smooth.

Students took a guided tour of the wastewater treatment facilities, from preliminary solid and grit removal, chemical treatment, and UV disinfection to sludge dewatering and odour management units. They participated in interactive briefings by the plant staff and Drainy, the DSD’s mascot, enriching their understanding of how renewable energy technologies are being adopted at DSD’s facilities. They also took part in energy-themed video games, which provided a fun and engaging way to learn about renewable energy systems.

Special thanks to DSD’s NG Chui Ling, Community Relations Officer, and HO Kin Sing, Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, for showing us around and making this visit informative and memorable.