KUCHING, DECEMBER 20: Sarawak is poised to achieve a sustainable energy cycle, playing a pivotal role in decarbonisation and efforts to mitigate climate change.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni, emphasized that Sarawak’s capabilities extend to the early-stage production and transportation of clean hydrogen, positioning the region as a competitive player in the clean energy sector.
He added Sarawak’s hydropower energy is the reason behind for the two Japanese partners to play their part in the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub in Bintulu.
The hydro powered grid system in the state which eventually will produce cleaner hydrogen making it attractive for investors.
“Sumitomo Corporation considers hydrogen to be one of the most important future energy sources for decarbonise societies.
“Similarly, Sarawak hydropower is very stable and has little fluctuation in its output. Therefore, clean hydrogen can be produced,” he told TVS in conjunction with his visit to Japan to witness a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) of SEDC Energy with Japanese conglomerates ENEOS and Sumitomo Corporation.
Dr. Hazland highlighted the significance of Bintulu’s petrochemical industrial complex in producing Methylcyclohexane (MCH), a crucial component for transporting hydrogen to Japan.
The recently signed agreement on October 25 is a part of the H2ornbill project within the Sarawak H2 Hub, aiming to generate approximately 90,000 tons of clean hydrogen, with 2,000 tons allocated for local consumption in Sarawak.
Within the JDA, SEDC Energy’s role will involves in the spearheading of the technical aspects of hydrogen production, focusing on integrating and optimising the energy procurement process for the project.
The goal for this project is to begin production of clean hydrogen by 2030 and all parties involved will be entering the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase soon.
The Sarawak H2 Hub and the H2ornbill project is also recognised in the national New Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
This collaboration that has made significant strides is also congruent with the Sarawak’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, focusing on utilising hydrogen to transform Sarawak into a developed state by 2030.
This project is also seen to further augment Malaysia’s hydrogen ambitions as stated in the NETR.-TVS
