Hong Kong’s former landfill now hosts 1,850 solar panels generating enough electricity for roughly 360 homes a year
Cities are running out of room. Fast.
And this leaves little room for new infrastructure that can improve the lives of their inhabitants and the environment at large.
Despite this, the pressure to produce cleaner energy is growing, which means that, when it comes to finding space for solar farms, developers have to be more creative.
This was alluded to by SHKP executive director, Christopher Kwok, who said he sees potential for more solar developments on landfill sites and unused land.
Is it possible for yesterday’s waste grounds to become tomorrow’s power plants? And what impact could that have on crowded cities?
The site getting a second chance
When you think of renewable energy, landfills are generally not the first places that spring to mind.
Even once they are closed they need to be under careful management, and they are notorious difficult to repurpose.
But a partnership between environmental services group, Veolia, property developer, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and CITIC Pacific in Hong Kong has turned this challenge into an opportunity.
Together, they opened a solar farm at the Tseung Kwan O South East New Territories Landfill, which is currently being operate by their joint venture, Green Valley Landfill Limited.
This collaboration brings together expertise in sectors including property, investment and environmental management.
An important aspect of this project is that, by making use of existing land, it demonstrates how older infrastructure can contribute to a modern energy system, serving as a model other operators.
It proved that you don’t always need a new site, because they have been able to give a landfill another productive role.
Projects like this support Hong Kong’s goal of attaining carbon neutrality by 2050.
A load of trash? Not anymore
The way the site is being used is what makes this project a big deal.
Already, the restored landfill supports the processing of construction waste and the production and use of landfill gas.
Now, it can add solar generation to the list.
The solar farm officially began operating in May 2026 after being completed and commissioned in late 2025.
Government officials and project partners attended the opening ceremony, which was a display of public-private cooperation.
This launch also marked a milestone for the country, as it is not only the largest installation of its kind locally, but is the only solar farm on a restored landfill to participate in the Feed-in Tariff Scheme.
From landfill to local power
The Tseung Kwan O South East New Territories Landfill Solar Farm might be an unlikely energy site.
But it covers approximately 140,000 square feet and features around 1,850 solar panels.
Enough for hundreds of homes
The panels at this farm are expected to generate approximately 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity – enough to meet the needs of roughly 360 households annually.
Of course, there is also an environmental benefit.
Carbon emmissions are expected to be cut by around 530,000 kilograms annually because of this installation.
The partners compared this to being the equivalent of planting 20,000 trees.
A small footprint with big potential
The current solar project occupies just 20% of the restored landfill’s 198 acres. This means that there may be more to come.
This was alluded to by SHKP executive director, Christopher Kwok, who said he sees potential for more solar developments on landfill sites and unused land.
To get them interested in renewable energy and the environmental impact young, the facility welcomes school students for visits.
Not just generating electricity, this site is also helping to make the case for rethinking land and resources.
The ultimate recycling project
Progress isn’t always about finding somewhere new to build. Sometimes, it’s about seeing familiar places differently.
This former landfill in Hong Kong is proving that even the least promising patches of ground can have a brighter purpose.
And, if we’re rethinking where solar farms can be located, could reservoirs be the next unlikely power stations?
