Hong Kong receives first hydrogen-powered light rail train in green energy push

• Trial run of new train to take place this year, MTR Corp says, after government's release of hydrogen development strategy last week

Hong Kong has received its first hydrogen-powered light rail train, with a trial run scheduled as part of the city's plan to develop the use of the energy source to reach its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

The MTR Corporation, the city's rail operator, said on Friday the train had arrived the day before and was undergoing tests.

The train, which will not carry passengers during its trial run in Tuen Mun later this year, is one of 14 hydrogen projects environmental authorities have approved in principle.

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"After the train arrived, it was immediately transported to the MTR Corp's Tuen Mun depot," a spokesman for the company said.

"It will first undergo relevant acceptance inspections at the depot and on the rail line during non-running hours.

"We will not conduct research and data collection on the hydrogen vehicle in different operating environments until we obtain approval from relevant government departments."

The MTR Corp said it expected to officially launch the trial run before the end of the year after completing all preparatory work.

The MTR Corp has said it expects to officially launch the trial run before the end of the year after completing all preparatory work. Photo: Handout

It said the train would be tested at a specially built platform near the Kin On light rail stop in Tuen Mun to assess the feasibility of using hydrogen as a clean energy option for its network.

Environmental authorities released a strategy for hydrogen development last week, with the aim of legalising the use of the gas as an energy source in the city.

Hydrogen is still considered dangerous, and its production, storage and transport are strictly prohibited.

Other government-approved projects for the energy source include Chinese state oil company Sinopec's plan to build a refilling station in Yuen Long, industrial and medical gases provider Linde HKO's scheme to use a tube trailer to ship the chemical substance and Citybus' road test of Hong Kong's first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus.

Hong Kong released its Climate Action Plan in 2021, under which the government set out to attain net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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