BMT Asia Pacific Limited (BMT Asia Pacific), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd. (BMT), has completed an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and marine navigation safety risk assessment (MNSRA) for Hong Kong's first offshore wind farm. With up to 67 turbines spread over 16 km2, the proposed 200 megawatt wind farm would provide enough energy to power 80,000 homes, offsetting around 350,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
BMT has conducted a detailed assessment of the proposed site and concluded that a wind farm set in the open ocean of the South China Sea, 10km east of Hong Kong, will not have a negative impact on marine or bird life, or the busy marine traffic activity of Hong Kong.
It also identified that the wind farm’s innovative use of suction caisson foundations would avoid the need for dredging or marine piling, thereby minimizing the risk of hazardous offshore works, water pollution and ecological disturbance.
The EIA will now go to public consultation until the end of June 2009, and will also be under consideration by the Government’s Advisory Council on the Environment before the Environmental Protection Department reviews the Assessment reports and public comments. Details of the project are available on the Stakeholder Consultation site www.hongkongoffshorewind.com, which features extensive use of 3D mapping to illustrate the project, and the results of surveys and analyses undertaken.
BMT was commissioned by Wind Prospect, a leading independent renewable energy developer, to carry out the assessment. If approved, it will be built by CLP, one of Asia’s biggest investors in renewable energy.
Richard Colwill, managing director of BMT Asia Pacific in Hong Kong, said: This wind farm will be a key step in helping Hong Kong to meet its renewable energy targets and cut carbon dioxide emissions. The constrained land resources of Hong Kong prohibit large-scale development, so we are very pleased to have assisted the implementation of this major offshore renewable project in Asian waters.
Alex Tancook, general manager of Wind Prospect (Hong Kong), said: BMT have been with the project since its inception and the completion of the marine studies and presentation of the EIA for public consultation marks a major milestone in its development. It demonstrates that the local Government and its community are committed to sustainability and a low carbon future.