06 • Local News
06 • Local News
@ green | March-April . 2024
Collaborative efforts in carbon capture
PETROS , PETRONAS , and Japanese consortium forge ahead in Sarawak
PETROLEUM Sarawak Berhad ( PETROS ), PETRONAS , through its subsidiary - CCS Ventures Sdn Bhd ( PETRO- NAS CCS Ventures ), and Japanese Consortium Parties comprising Japan Petroleum Exploration Co ., Ltd . ( JAPEX ), JGC Holdings Corporation ( JGC ) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha , Ltd . (“ K ” LINE ) signed a Storage Site Agreement ( SSA ) for the M3 depleted field offshore Sarawak , on Feb 26 .
The SSA not only enables the feasibility studies of the CO2 storage sites , starting with the M3 depleted field ( M3 CCS Project ) but also the planning of relevant CO2 storage site development , including onshore terminals and transportation pipelines , as well as assessment of its techno-commercial feasibility .
This collaboration represents a significant advancement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Asia Pacific ( APAC ) region , including Malaysia and Japan .
The signatories of the SSA were Nazrin Banu Shaikh S . Ahmad ( PETROS Senior Vice President , Sarawak Resource Management ), Emry Hisham Yusoff ( PETRONAS CCS Ventures CEO ), Tomomi Yamada ( JAPEX Managing Executive Officer and President of Overseas Business Division II ), Masahiro Aika ( JGC Senior Executive Officer , Technology Commercialisation Officer ) and Satoshi Kanamori ( K-Line Managing Executive Officer , Carbon-Neutral Promotion ).
The MoU signatories ( clockwise from top left ): Kanamori , Dr James Foo , Nazrin Shaikh S . Ahmad , Anyi Ngau , Emry , Yamada and Aika .
Nazrin said : “ As the Resource Manager for Carbon Capture , Utilisation and Storage ( CCUS ) in Sarawak , this step forward signifies our commitment as Sarawak ’ s economic growth engine leveraging on CCUS as an enabler .
“ This is the first project for the industry and the impetus to more low-carbon solution projects . We are pleased to share our commitment to Sarawak with PETRONAS and the Japanese Consortium participating in this CCUS project .”
Emry added that the collaboration was not just a strategic move to unlock potential CCS opportunities in Sarawak but also necessary in addressing climate change as a collective action to achieve a low-carbon future .
“ By securely storing captured CO2 underground , CCS plays a pivotal role in decarbonising key industries , and it is hoped that this milestone will set an impetus for other CCS initiatives within Malaysia ,” he said .
Yamada , representing the Japanese Consortium Parties , said : “ We are very proud to work with PETRONAS CCS Ventures and PETROS for this epochal project and believe that the expertise of each company can make a great contribution to realising the CCS value chain centred on Sarawak , aiming at the decarbonisation of the APAC region , including Japan .”
Unlocking Sarawak ’ s green energy potential
SARAWAK , a region blessed with abundant natural resources and a burgeoning commitment to sustainable energy , has captured the European Union ’ s ( EU ) attention . Yet , as the EU ’ s top official in Malaysia underscores , seizing this opportunity demands innovative cooperative mechanisms .
The EU ’ s commitment to sustainable development is underscored by its pledge of € 300 billion ( US $ 325 billion ) through the Global Gateway initiative . This seven-year strategy , launched in 2021 , prioritises investments in digital , transport , climate , and energy sectors worldwide , aligning with Sarawak ’ s green ambitions .
Michalis Rokas , the EU ambassador to Malaysia , spoke at the EU-Malaysia Business Day 2024 event and praised Sarawak ’ s vision for hydrogen and green energy transition . Acknowledging the limited European business presence , Rokas proposed a ‘ blending ’ model to mitigate risks and attract private capital , thus accelerating Sarawak ’ s sustainable initiatives .
This potential partnership resonates with the EU ’ s Indo-Pacific Strategy , emphasising collaboration on climate change and clean energy . Sarawak ’ s focus on hydrogen production and sustainable fuels dovetails with the EU ’ s sustainability objectives .
The European Investment Bank ( EIB ), which has been active in Southeast Asia for over 30 years , seeks to enhance its engagement in Malaysia pending government approval . Rokas envisions the EU proposing a flagship project in Sarawak , leveraging its presence and resources for mutual benefit .
Sarawak ’ s Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan emphasised the State ’ s commitment to renewable energy . Sarawak stands out as ASEAN ’ s leader in renewables , primarily hydroelectric power . Plans to export renewable energy to Singapore via undersea cables underscore Sarawak ’ s ambition .
Sarawak ’ s collaboration extends globally , with significant hydrogen projects involving Japanese and South Korean partners . These initiatives are poised to significantly contribute to Sarawak ’ s GDP by 2030 , fostering economic growth and sustainability .
The State ’ s pioneering efforts extend to hydrogen-powered transportation , with hydrogen buses operational since 2018 and plans for hydrogen trams . Additionally , Sarawak aims to produce sustainable aviation fuel from crude algae oil , furthering its green energy ecosystem .
However , challenges persist , including supply-demand imbalances and ensuring equitable benefits for Sarawak ’ s populace . Timothy Ong , CEO of InvestSarawak , stresses the importance of inclusive investment , where benefits trickle down to communities and local enterprises .
Solarvest chosen on merit for solar power installation at Petronas stations
THE decision to appoint Solarvest Energy Sdn Bhd , a unit of Solarvest Holdings Bhd , to install solar power systems at over 300 Petronas stations nationwide was made based on merit .
PETRONAS President and CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Aziz emphasised that technical standards and timely delivery were crucial factors leading to Solarvest ’ s selection for the turnkey contract .
He further explained that while efforts were made to include Bumiputera players from a list provided by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority ( SEDA ), the selection process did not result in their success .
Looking ahead , Tengku Taufik indicated a shift towards enabling smaller consortia and modifying the contracting strategy . “ I have already been informed that there have been discussions to propose a consortia approach rather than looking at one single provider ,” he said .
Regarding the contract value , Tengku Taufik clarified that it is significantly less than the hundreds of millions of claims made by certain parties .
Solarvest Energy , appointed by Gentari Renewables Sdn Bhd , will commence installing solar power systems at over 300 Petronas stations across Malaysia . The project is slated to start in April 2024 . This initiative aims to install over 5.4 megawatt peak ( MWp ) of solar capacity across the designated stations by 2027 .
Tengku Taufik reaffirmed the company ’ s dedication to fostering inclusivity in response to concerns the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia raised regarding Petronas ’ commitment to the Bumiputera agenda . He indicated ongoing efforts to address such concerns . - @ green