Chief Executive Donald Tsang has hailed the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department for its innovative ideas in promoting renewable energy and efficiency, like the solar photovoltaic system which can power 90 households.

The system cuts 250 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from power stations annually.

Tech tour: Chief Executive Donald Tsang tours the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department Technology Centre and Training Workshop, and sees how Hong Kong's largest solar photovoltaic system operates.

Touring the department's Kowloon Bay headquarters today Mr Tsang visited the Education Gallery to see renewable energy installations, like the largest 350kW solar photovoltaic panel in Hong Kong, micro wind turbines, a daylight collection system and a solar water heating unit.

He saw exhibits demonstrating renewable and clean energy technologies and energy efficiency initiatives. Since its opening in November 2005 about 8,000 visitors from 220 bodies and schools have visited the gallery.

Mr Tsang also toured the Technology Centre which features innovative service applications developed by the department for its clients. They include a 3.5G mobile closed-circuit television surveillance system widely used by the Transport Department to monitor traffic.

In the Training Workshop Mr Tsang learned structured training is offered to school leavers and university graduates under the accredited training schemes for apprentices and engineering graduates. There are 230 apprentices registered under the Office of Director of Apprenticeship and 40 engineering graduates under the Institution of Engineers.