“Burning coal to light up Hong Kong”, that’s the simple story of the Castle Peak Power Station. But there is so much more to discover. The Castle Peak Power Station stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s industrial prowess. It has been a major source of electricity for decades.
Right here, in Tuen Mun, lies the largest coal-fired power station in Hong Kong. Castle Peak Power Station began operations in 1982. The newest unit opened in 1990. Think of it as a giant engine. It provides power to countless homes and businesses.
Castle Peak Power Station consists of eight generating units. Four units produce 350 MW each. The other four generate 677 MW each. The total installed capacity is 4,108 MW. This makes it a powerhouse in every sense.
CLP operates Castle Peak Power Station. They obtain additional power from the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station and the Guangzhou Pumped Storage Power Station. This combined capacity totals 8,888 MW. A truly impressive amount.
In 2007, Castle Peak burned 9 million tonnes of coal. About 4.6 million tonnes was low sulphur coal from Indonesia. This shows the scale of operation. It also shows efforts to use cleaner fuels.
The Castle Peak Power Station has undertaken programs to improve emission performance. They include refurbishing burners. This reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. They also installed flue gas desulfurization known as FGD equipment.
Looking up at those four large flues, consider the effort to maintain them. CLP Power installed Pennguard linings in the Castle Peak B chimney flues. They did it during scheduled outage time. The installation had to be safe and quick. The goal was a service life exceeding 20 years with minimal maintenance.
To achieve this, the project team worked during long boiler outages. This exposed the Pennguard lined flues to months of high temperature service. This is acceptable if external insulation is removed from the steel flues.
Balanced Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd from Singapore handled the lining installation. They focused on safety and quality. A Safety Manager and team enforced strict safety rules. Everyone entering the chimney completed safety courses.
Access was improved with a strong platform and a fast hoist. A waterproof seal protected the works from rain. Surface preparation involved grit blasting to near white metal cleanliness. Pennguard linings offer an advantage for used steel flues. Small imperfections in welds and slight pitting were not a problem.
Two teams of trained brick layers worked in shifts. They completed lining installation in less than 24 days in two flues. Others took longer, 34 and 36 days respectively. Hadek QA Inspectors were present at all times. They ensured quality control.
Pennguard linings also address cold spots on steel chimneys. These spots cause excessive condensate formation. The linings provide thermal insulation. They eliminate the need for external insulation on newly constructed chimneys.
CLP Power Hong Kong and China Southern Power Grid own the Castle Peak Power Station. Their ownership stakes are 70% and 30% respectively. GE Power supplied the steam turbines and electric generators. Doosan Babcock Energy supplied the steam boilers.
The Castle Peak Power Station emitted 12,738 tonnes of carbon dioxide in a year. This highlights the environmental impact. It also shows the need for ongoing improvements.
Since its commissioning in 1980, Castle Peak Power Station has played a vital role. It powers Hong Kong while adapting to modern environmental standards. The station stands as a symbol of progress. It balances energy needs with environmental responsibility. As Hong Kong continues to grow, the Castle Peak Power Station will continue to adapt. It will strive to provide reliable power. It will do so in a sustainable manner.