Hong Kong updates building energy scheme to boost district cooling systems
Hong Kong's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has updated the Building Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme and issued new guidelines for district cooling and centralised multi-building cooling systems, effective 1 November 2026. The move follows the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Addres
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has released an updated version of the Hong Kong Building Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme along with new operational guidelines for district cooling systems and centralised multi-building cooling systems, the government announced on 23 October 2026.
The updates follow the successful government-led Kai Tak district cooling system pilot, which demonstrated the feasibility of such technology in Hong Kong. In the 2025 Chief Executive's Policy Address, the government announced plans to introduce an optimisation programme encouraging non-government entities to develop smaller-scale district cooling or centralised multi-building cooling systems through technical, tax and floor area incentives. The programme aims to increase the adoption of these technologies and promote green technology development, supporting climate change mitigation and accelerating the city's goal of carbon neutrality under the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050.
The updated registration scheme expands its scope to accept registration applications for district cooling and centralised multi-building cooling systems without requiring additional green certification. Under the scheme, capital expenditure on qualifying energy-efficient building installations can be fully deducted when calculating annual profits tax.
The new operational guidelines provide industry and users with good practices, design references and innovative technologies to enhance the reliability, safety and energy efficiency of district cooling and centralised multi-building cooling systems. The guidelines include updates to three existing documents — the District Cooling Service Cooling Conditions, the Technical Guidelines for Connection to District Cooling Systems, and the Guidelines for Excavation near District Cooling Systems — as well as two newly added documents: the Guidelines for Application of Modular Mechanical and Electrical Equipment in District Cooling Systems and the Guidelines for Maintenance of District Cooling System Pipeline Network Facilities.
The updated registration scheme and all five operational guidelines will take effect on 1 November 2026. Further measures under the optimisation programme will be rolled out progressively, with full implementation expected by the first quarter of 2027.