The construction of a desalination plant in Hong Kong designed to expand water supplies in the special administrative region is expected to finish and put into use in 2023, the project engineers said on Tuesday.

The Tseung Kwan O desalination plant, built with a water production capacity of 135,000 cubic metres per day, can meet 5 percent of Hong Kong's current fresh water demand, said Lee Kwun-chung, chief engineer from the Water Supplies Department of the Hong Kong SAR.

After its entry into service, it will be the first desalination plant using seawater reverse osmosis technology in the city, the most advanced and efficient technology for the production of drinking water from seawater, Lee said.

The China State Construction International Holding Limited, a State-owned company based in Hong Kong, is the major constructor of the project.