“Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy 2025” successfully completed

Co-organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric), the “Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy 2025” (the Programme) concluded on 17 June with a Graduation Ceremony, marking another milestone in international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the energy sector. The Programme, held for the eighth consecutive year, continues to serve as a robust platform for facilitating communication and fostering long-term partnership in electric power industry among the Belt and Road (B&R) countries and regions.

This year’s theme, “Promoting Collaborations on Green Energy; Building New Type of Power System”, and the topics covered, not only align with the global momentum towards carbon neutrality and sustainable development, but also emphasise the balance between energy security and environmental responsibility. The 13-day Programme attracted 28 energy professionals and scholars from 6 B&R countries and regions – Chile, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Russia – for dynamic dialogue on advancing green energy initiatives and shaping a sustainable energy future through a series of lectures, discussions, sharing sessions, and field visits in Jinan and Xi’an of Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Engineering; Mr Francis C. Y. CHENG, HK Electric Managing Director; Mr OU Xiaoming, Chief Representative of the State Grid Hong Kong Representative Office; Mr WANG Lixin, Deputy President of the State Grid Technology College; and Prof. TIAN Feng, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Engineering at Xi’an Jiaotong University officiated at the Graduation Ceremony. Also in attendance were esteemed guests including Mr CHAN Pak Cheung, Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department; Ir Eric MA, President of The HK Institution of Engineers; Prof. Alfred SIT, Chief Executive and Secretary of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers; Mrs Karina CONCHA, Consul General of Chile in Hong Kong; Mr Allan G Revote, Vice Consul, Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong; Mrs Fithonatul Mar’ati, Consul for Economic Affairs, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong; Mr Petr Larionov, Attache, Consulate-General of the Russia Federation in Hong Kong, together with senior executives from the co-organisers. Their presence underscored the Programme’s growing international recognition and its pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaboration in the energy sector.

Addressing the audience, Prof. H.C. Man said, “PolyU is harnessing its world-class academic and research excellence to pioneer innovative solutions for a sustainable future. In alignment with global and national strategic goals in carbon neutrality and green energy, PolyU has been at the forefront of advancing cutting-edge research in these critical areas. The Programme serves as one of our vital platforms fostering in-depth exchanges and collaboration among researchers and senior management professionals across the region to address key challenges in green energy and sustainable energy management. The initiative highlights PolyU’s commitment to global sustainability leadership and strengthens its role as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation and international cooperation.”

Mr Francis C. Y. Cheng noted, “At HK Electric, we are proud to have shared our journey in building a new type of power system—one that is cleaner, smarter, and more resilient. In 2024, we achieved a major milestone by reducing our carbon emissions by 40% compared to that of 2005, while at the same time maintained a world-class reliability of over 99.9999% in our electricity supply. Thanks to the continued transition from coal to natural gas, close to 70% of our electricity is generated from gas, and we are on track to phase out all coal-fired units for daily operations by 2035.”

Mr Ou Xiaoming said, “China is committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and hopes that all countries join hands in sharing the fruits of development. As the world's largest utility company, the State Grid Corporation of China actively upholds the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits in the high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Aligned with this vision, State Grid strives to advance the development of a new power system and strengthen international cooperation in the electricity and power sectors. We hope this joint Belt and Road Programme will serve as a collaborative platform for the exchange of cutting-edge technologies in power and energy, driving green and low-carbon development across participating countries and regions along the Belt and Road."

Mr Wang Lixin stated, “Since its inception in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative has consistently fostered vibrant hubs of cultural and technological exchange wherever it reaches, promoting mutual learning, trust among civilisations, and the coexistence and integration of diverse perspectives. Building on this foundation, this joint collaborative Programme launched in 2018 has increasingly become a high-quality platform for international exchange among professionals in the energy and power industry, yielding fruitful outcomes and radiating dynamic vitality. We sincerely hope that everyone will continue to cultivate and refine this platform, further elevating the ‘golden reputation’ of the Belt and Road research and collaboration project.”

Prof. Tian Feng said, “This year’s Programme, themed ‘Promoting Collaborations on Green Energy; Building New Type of Power System,’, is closely aligned with the global recognised research vision supporting the ‘carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals’. As one of the eight progressive steps, this initiative represents not only a profound responsibility but also a shared honour for every participant in our Programme. May the collective wisdom gathered here today illuminate sustainable pathways to a brighter, carbon-neutral future for all.”

A highlight of the Programme was a lecture on “First Supply-Territory-Wide Internet of Things (IoT) Platforms for Public Utility in Hong Kong” delivered by Mr Jason CHUNG, Chief Technical Services Engineer (Computer Hardware) of HK Electric Transmission and Distribution Division. He outlined how HK Electric is actively harnessing IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and energy management, aligning with Hong Kong’s smart city and carbon neutrality goals. As part of this vision, HK Electric is deploying a comprehensive network of IoT sensors and AI-driven systems across its service area. These innovations are designed to enhance the reliability, efficiency and resilience of HK Electric’s power grid. 

The Programme offers participants firsthand exposure to some of the region’s most advanced energy infrastructure. Site visits this year included SGCC’s Vehicle-Grid Interactive Charging Station Demonstration Project in Jinan, XJTU’s State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment in Xi’an, PolyU’s Solar Energy Performance Management System. Participants also visited HK Electric’s Marsh Road Station Building, System Control Centre, Virtual Reality Training Centre, and Mobile Battery Energy Storage System, as well as the headquarters of the Electrical Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government. These immersive experiences not only showcased the latest advancements in energy innovation but also enriched participants’ understanding of integrated energy management and smart grid technologies.

As the world accelerates its transition to a low-carbon future, this cross-regional and multi-cultural university-industry collaboration programme stands as the first-of-its-kind in both Mainland China and Hong Kong to foster international cooperation and nurture talent, advancing the shared vision of a sustainable energy landscape. Since its inception in 2018, the Programme has attracted over 850 industry professionals from 44 B&R countries and regions, facilitating more than 10,000 hours of exchanges through online and offline training, discussions and field trips. Over the years, it has built its reputation as a leading global hub for capacity building in the power and energy sectors.

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