Chairman's Message

Since the establishment of Nuclear Division in Session 1987/1988, the Division has been actively promoting the understanding of nuclear technology, particularly in giving an impartial opinion on the safety of nuclear power plant. Since 1994, four nuclear reactor units have been commissioned in stages at Guangdong Nuclear Power Station and LingAo Nuclear Power Station Phase 1 which are located at about 50 km away from the city centre at Daya Bay, Shenzhen. Two more 1000 MW units at LingAo Phase 2 are to be commissioned in 2010 and 2011. While observing the safe operation of the nuclear power plants at Daya Bay in the past 14 years, there was no place for complacency. We believe that nuclear power will continue to play an important role in fulfilling the future energy need in Hong Kong and the safe operation of nuclear power plants in our neighbourhood is essential to safeguard the well-being and sustainable development of Hong Kong.

In view of the increasing energy demand in China and the prominent need to preserve our environment by reducing green house gases and emissions from fossil fuel power stations, there would be a new impetus to nuclear power in the coming decades. Under the rapid economic development in the Pearl River Delta, nuclear power has become an important component to meet the increasing electricity consumption in the region. With the active development of nuclear power in the Mainland, the interest of Hong Kong engineers in the nuclear industry is also destined to grow.

As the Division is moving towards its 22nd anniversary, we would continue to organise various activities of special interests to our members. We would also reinforce the links with our counterparts in the Mainland, Taiwan and overseas so as to keep up with the development in the field amidst the expected global nuclear renaissance and the emerging new technology for the next generation of nuclear reactor. Furthermore, we would continue to enhance our Divisional homepage in the coming years to provide a useful platform for promoting the understanding of nuclear technology among our members. All HKIE members are welcome to join our Division and participate in our activities to broaden their knowledge in nuclear technology.

Ir Ronald CHENG Kin Wai
Chairman, Nuclear Division
Session 2008/2009