The HK Electric Clean Energy Fund, now in its sixth year, is getting ready to extend its green network by reaching down to the bottom rung of the education ladder for the 2011/12 year.
Besides extending its coverage to registered kindergartens, the Fund, totalling $1 million, also calls for project proposals on the development of education kits to feature renewable energy (RE) and the practice of a low carbon lifestyle, in addition to plans for introducing RE installations on school campus.
HK Electric General Manager (Corporate Development), Mr. Yee Tak-chow, said that applications are now open until 16 August 2011 and the company will accept applications from kindergartens starting this year.
"Environmental education should start early and we share the professional views of our adjudication panel that now is an appropriate time to complete our comprehensive coverage of all schools in Hong Kong," he added.
Earlier this year, the company commissioned an independent consultant to review the operations of the Fund and also sought views from educators on ways to further enhance the scheme which aims to promote the application of RE among schools in Hong Kong.
To announce details of the Fund, an experience-sharing seminar for more than 150 school representatives was held and Chief Executive Officer of Green Power, Dr. Man Chi-sum, who is one of the Fund's adjudicators, reminded participants that when contemplating projects, schools should focus more on the educational value, though a good project should also be innovative, sustainable and rich in environmental benefits.
The seminar also offered an opportunity for participants to learn from four outstanding awardees in previous years - Mr. Law Tsz-fung from Precious Blood Primary School (South Horizons); Mr. Wong Kam-yiu, principal of Five Districts Business Welfare Association School; Ms. Tsang Yuk-chun, principal of SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School and Mr. Leung Kin-man, vice-principal of Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Secondary School.
Ms. Tsang said the RE installations in her school have helped heighten students' interests in learning, while Mr. Wong Kam-yiu noted that his students learned about kinetic energy in a lively way through a stepping device at the school campus.
The HK Electric Clean Energy Fund has sponsored more than HK$5 million since its inception in 2006. Mr. Yee said that to date the Fund had sponsored 60 projects, including the installation in various campuses of 17 micro wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of over 5,000W and 15,000W respectively.
He added that more than 20,000 people from schools and nearby communities have benefitted from these funded projects.
Last year, a record 60 applications was received and an application from a special school was accepted for the first time. "The Fund this year encourages previous awardees to apply again to continuously improve their existing projects," Mr. Yee noted.
Apart from Dr. Man, other adjudicators include the Board Director of Hong Kong Education City Limited and Director of Information Technology Resource Centre of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Dr. John Fung Yat-chu; Director of Friends of the Earth (HK), Mr. Edwin Lau Che-feng; Environmental Campaign Committee member Dr. Ng Cho-nam; Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr. Benny Wong Yiu-kam; and Islands District Councillor Ms. Yu Lai-fan.
Applicants are reminded that the deadline for submission is 16 August 2011 and results will be announced in October 2011. Sponsored projects should be based in Hong Kong and be completed by 31 August 2012. Details and application forms are available at HK Electric's website: www.hkelectric.com/cleanenergyfund.