Hong Kong: densely populated, with still continuing population and industrial growth. The planers' and decision makers' answer is a continious improvement of the city's infrastructure. A case in point is the Ap Lei Chau Industrial Zone, where the energy supply had to be optimized with new high-voltage power lines. Two parallel tunnels were required for approximately 20 high voltage cables. The shortest possible route to connect the industrial zone with the power grid was straight through a hill, made of extremely abrasive rock.

An AVN1800TB, fitted with a door to the excavation chamber for cutting tool replacement, drove through the hard Hong Kong rock. It set new standards, driving the two 420-meter-long tunnels, with overburdens of up to 110 meters, in only a few months. The high maximum torque and the automatic bentonite lubrication system were major factors in this successful test of strength. Not even intermediate jacking stations were necessary for the long tunnels.