JULY-AUGUST , 2023 | @ green

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Plans to expand algae cultivation to 1,000 acres , which our scientists estimate can provide roughly 500,000 tonnes per year of crude algae oil or renewable oil , were announced at the launch of the Sejingkat Power Algae Pilot Plant .

An average crude algal oil extraction rate of 37 per cent from algae biomass amounts to 10,000 barrels of oil daily . SEDC Energy , a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation and Petronas , operates a second pilot facility at Demak Laut , located not far from Kuching , where they have conducted similar studies to develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel ( SAF ).

The green SAF manufactured at the plant has powered an Airbus A220 on a flight from Kuching to Langkawi .

“ One day , we may not have to look for oil anymore offshore or onshore , and we can have our ‘ farmers ’ grow oil more sustainably . Today , the unit cost per barrel is below US $ 50 if sold to a biorefinery , and it might fetch around US $ 110 per barrel because it ’ s green oil .

“ In the green hydrogen space , our plants in Bintulu will be the cornerstone of our Green Hydrogen Economy . To date , managers of both projects have completed their feasibility studies and expected to continue to the Front End Engineering Design ( FEED ) stage within the next few months , subject to finalising the details in Feasibility Studies before entering the comprehensive FEED stage .”

Following the completion of the planning phase , the final investment decision for Project Hornbill is anticipated in Q2 2025 , and for Project Hibiscus , it is expected in Q4 2024 . In 2027 , both buildings should be fully functional .

In addition to green hydrogen production , the facility will pave the way for developing related businesses , such as producing electrolysers , fuel cells , and environmentally friendly chemicals .

SEDC Energy is also building a hydrogen production plant and refuelling station in Rembus to bolster the Kuching Urban Transportation System ( KUTS ) Project . It is anticipated that the Rembus Hydrogen Plant will be finished in the year 2025 .

IMPORTANT STEPS TOWARDS REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT

According to Abang Zohari , Sarawak needs speed and scale to achieve its goals by 2030 . Sarawak will keep pushing towards a future with zero net carbon emissions by doubling its efforts to foster a low-carbon economy .

The state government has passed laws allowing carbon and nature-based solution businesses to function inside its borders . The Forest ( Forest Carbon Activity ) Rules ,

2022 , were updated and made public to govern better forest resources , including carbon stocks within forest ecosystems .

It is projected that Sarawak ’ s stable seabed formation , which serves as a continental shelf , can store nine billion metric tonnes of carbon . Secure and permanent storage of captured carbon dioxide was made possible by the availability of offshore depleted or abandoned petroleum sites .

“ This presents a significant prospect for oil and gas companies and heavy industries to store their captured CO2 emissions and fulfil their obligations in reducing CO2 emissions .

“ Sarawak has licensed the country and the region ’ s first CCS ( Carbon Capture and Sequestration ) project off the coast of Sarawak at the Petronas Kasawari fields off Bintulu .

“ This project is estimated to reduce up to 3.3 million tonnes annually of carbon dioxide extracted from the field , making it one of the world ’ s largest offshore CCS projects . This achievement firmly positions Sarawak as a global leader in this cuttingedge technology towards achieving net zero carbon by 2050 .”

Oil and gas firms and other heavy sectors now have a promising opportunity to sequester their captured CO2 emissions and thereby meet their CO2 reduction commitments .

This project is estimated to reduce up to 3.3 million tonnes annually of carbon dioxide extracted from the field , making it one of the world ’ s largest offshore CCS projects , and it is the first CCS ( Carbon Capture and Sequestration ) project licenced in the country and the region .

This success cements Sarawak ’ s position as a frontrunner in the race to reach net zero emissions by 2050 through this innovative technology .

The regional upstream oil and gas industry stands to gain significantly from this groundbreaking project , which will spur innovation and usher in a significant shift towards environmentally friendly energy generation .

It ’ s proof that Sarawak can run a CCS operation on par with the best in the world because of its 15 pieces of legislation and regulations .

Sarawak will keep improving its energy infrastructure to make the system more resilient and guarantee a steady power supply for domestic and foreign markets .

“ We firmly believe that collective action can achieve a greener , more sustainable future for everyone . The Sarawak government actively welcomes other nations to collaborate and develop new projects in partnership as we strive to combat climate change and forge a sustainable future .” – @ Green

THE INTERNATIONAL Energy Week ( IEW ) Expo & Summit at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on June 13-15 was the biggest ever , with an estimated attendance of 5,000 trade professionals from 15 countries .

The Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak hosted the event .

Themed : “ Transitioning Towards A Net-Zero Carbon Future ”, the event highlighted Sarawak ’ s initiatives in taking the lead in harnessing its enormous sustainable energy resources to power its economy and position itself as a significant clean energy hub .

High-level delegations from Brunei , Korea , Japan , Indonesia and Singapore were at the event to explore new investment and partnership opportunities . Samsung announced setting up an office in Kuching to support clean energy development .

IEW 23 attracted 312 exhibiting companies , including PETRONAS , Sarawak Energy Berhad , Shell , Velesto Energy , Petroleum Sarawak ( PETROS ), Petra Energy , Siemens , Regional Corridor Development Authority ( RECODA ), PTTEP , S & P Global , Huawei Technologies , Mubadala Energy and Lava Protocol .

The Expo also showcased pavilions from China , Singapore and Malaysia . The key focus of the Expo was to showcase the various innovations , technologies and initiatives in transforming processes towards clean energy and sustainability .

The two-day IEW 2023 Summit was a high-level gathering that featured over 28 speakers and panelists . The Premier of Sarawak , Tan Sri ( Dr ) Abang Zohari Openg , delivered the keynote address with special keynotes by Septian Hario Seto , Deputy of Investment and Mining Coordination to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments of Republic of Indonesia and Ngiam Shih Chun , Chief Executive , Energy Market Authority of Singapore .

Notable speakers and panellists included Datu Sharbini Suhaili ( Group CEO of Sarawak Energy Berhad ), Tengku Muhammad Taufik ( President & CEO , Petronas ), Dr Ir Dadan Kusdiana ( Director General of the New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation , Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources , Indonesia ) Okheon Lee ( Director , Hydrogen Economy Policy Division , Ministry of Trade , Industry and Energy , Korea ) Robert Hardin ( CEO , SEDC Energy ), Shinji Kondo ( GM , Hydrogen Business Dept of Asia , Sumitomo Corp ), Jang Jin-hwan ( GM , Hydrogen Business Dept , Korea National Oil Company ) and Park Cheon-hong Park ( EVP , Head of Business Development , Samsung Engineering ).

The summit included three panel sessions featuring the Energy Leader ’ Roundtable , Sarawak Investment Roundtable and the Focus on Indonesia Roundtable which provided delegates with opportunities to get updated on the latest developments and at the same time , interact with speakers and panellists .

The Focus on Indonesia Roundtable represented an excellent opportunity for delegates to learn more about the developments in Indonesia , especially in Kalimantan and the Nusantara Capital City .

Visitors to the IEW 23 Expo could also attend the many free Tech Talks featuring 17 in-depth presentations on emerging technologies and innovations .

Business Events Sarawak , Malaysian Convention & Exhibition Bureau , Malaysian Gas Association , Malaysian Oil & Gas Services Council and the Energy Industries Council supported IEW 23 .

Major participants included Petronas as platinum sponsors , with Shell , Velesto Energy , Sarawak Energy Berhad , PETROS and Petra Energy as gold sponsors and RECODA , Huawei and JJ-Lapp as silver sponsors .