Look what they’ve done to the place
Gateway Apartments goes even greener with a new solar panel system
Hong Kong is not known as the greenest of cities, and the hospitality industry has historically been notorious for natural resources waste, but one group is out to change that image for good. In a groundbreaking move for the property industry, Gateway Apartments in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui has completed the installation of a new solar power system designed to provide clean, renewable electricity to the building’s water heating system.
The 100 sets of solar panels covering 200 square metres on the roofs of Sutton Court and Hampton Court towers will offset nearly 70 tons of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases every year, the equivalent of planting 18 hectares – or 25 football pitches! – of trees over the 30-year lifetime of the system.
“We are very proud of this milestone achievement. This demonstrates the commitment of Gateway Apartments to environmental protection and best green practices,” said Rene Holenweger, the Assistant General Manager of Gateway Apartments.
By integrating the solar power system with the existing heat pump of the central domestic water heating system, China Light & Power estimates the total thermal water heating energy gain to be 127,384 kWh per annum. But that’s not its only contribution to Gateway Apartments.
Explained Holenweger, “This investment in clean energy technology not only reduces pollution… Operating costs will also be reduced in the long run.” While a system like this one costs in the range of HK$1.5 million, with a savings of HK$100,000 per year on electricity costs, the group will break even in 15 years, knowing that during those years the property has done its part to make Hong Kong just a little bit greener.
The move for implementation of the solar power system was spearheaded by Gateway Apartments’ Environmental Committee, which has previously taken charge of evaluating all operations for their environmental compatibility, including switching to energy-saving light bulbs and rechargeable batteries, installing water-saving showerheads and taps in all 499 serviced apartments, using bio-degradable cleaning, laundry and dishwashing fluids, and now the successful completion of the new clean energy system.
With an estimated 70 million tons of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere every day around the world, property owners and developers like Gateway Apartments are coming up with smart, eco and business-friendly ways to offset this dangerously high output. Will the trend catch on in Hong Kong? Holenweger hopes so. “We are hopeful, that our project will inspire and encourage others to follow in making our city a cleaner and greener place for all.”
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