T·PARK, Hong Kong's first self-sustaining sludge treatment facility, has officially opened. Mott MacDonald acted as independent consultants on the project, reviewing and certifying all designs, drawings and methods of construction produced by contractor Veolia.
One of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in the world, T·PARK is capable of treating up to 2,000 t of sewage sludge per day. Located in the city of Tuen Mun, it comprises power generation, desalination, educational and ecological facilities to showcase the benefits of the waste-to-energy approach to waste management. The facility, which will host exhibitions and guided tours to enhance environmental awareness and education, also features a rooftop garden and spa services which are open to the public.
The facility is now incinerating the sludge produced at Hong Kong’s 11 sewage treatment works, reducing the volume of waste that would otherwise be dumped in landfill by approximately 90%. The heat generated during the incineration process is recovered for electricity generation to meet on-site operational needs, while excess electricity is exported to the public power grid, providing power for up to 4,000 households at maximum capacity.
Anne Kerr, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said: “We brought a wealth of waste expertise to this project, gained from projects both in Hong Kong and internationally. This included a detailed understanding of the economic, technical, environmental, procurement and social issues associated with implementing and developing the scheme.”