MTR to trial non-passenger hydrogen-powered trains in second half of 2024

Authorities have agreed in principle with MTR Corp Ltd’s application to trial trains powered by hydrogen fuel in Tuen Mun without loading passengers. The trial is expected to begin in the second half of 2024. 

According to a statement released Thursday, the Environment and Ecology Bureau said a working group on using hydrogen as fuel has also agreed in principle with two other applications related to trial projects of hydrogen fuel, filed by Sinopec (Hong Kong) Ltd and Linde HKO Ltd. 

Sinopec (HK) proposes to build a hydrogen fueling station in Au Tau, Yuen Long. 

Meanwhile, Linde HKO applies to power the trains with hydrogen using hydrogen tube trailers – trucks that carry long tubes that contain compressed hydrogen. 

The three applications were received by the working group between last September and November. The working group then vetted the applications and provided other advice. 

As the three applicants further enhanced the designs and details of the trial projects accordingly to ensure they can run smoothly, the working group agreed in principle with their applications in a meeting on Wednesday. 

The trial project for the Yuen Long hydrogen station will begin in mid-2024. As for the other two related to trains powered by hydrogen, they will begin in the second half of 2024. 

The working group added they have given agreements-in-principle to a first batch of three applications of trial projects on March 28. 

They include the trials for setting up a hydrogen fueling facility at a bus depot, one hydrogen fuel cell double-decker bus and a hydrogen extraction facility at plant of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company. 

So far, the working group has given agreements-in-principle six applications of trial projects related to hydrogen fuel.