Hong Kong targets carbon neutrality amid rising AI energy demands

Hong Kong is advancing its Climate Action Plan 2050, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 50% reduction in emissions by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The strategy focuses on net-zero electricity, green transport, and waste reduction. As part of these efforts, Muuse Limited is utilizing a tech-powered re-use platform to replace single-use food and beverage packaging with trackable, smart containers. The startup’s services are currently being used by firms such as Swire Properties, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola.

Simultaneously, the rapid rise of generative AI and data centers is significantly impacting the region's energy requirements. Joseph Law, president of AESIEAP and managing director of CLP Power, noted that electricity demand is growing 50% faster annually than the previous decade's average. To meet these needs, construction has begun on the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, which is projected to deliver 180,000 petaflops of computing power by 2032. The government's objective is to balance this increased demand with high-efficiency computing and a stable, low-carbon electricity supply.