Sarawak is a rising tiger in the renewable energy arena . Sarawak is Hydrogen Ready – and we are opening our frontier to help traditional industries become more sustainable .”

– Abang Johari

Abang Johari Openg delivering his keynote address .

During the World Hydrogen 2022 Summit & Exhibition , Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Openg , the Premier of Sarawak , delivered a keynote address , sharing the acceleration of the global hydrogen economy from the perspective of Sarawak .

“ It is a great honour for me to stand at this international podium to share with you my views on some of the lucrative hydrogen economy initiatives that we , from the mythical Northwest Borneo Island , have undertaken and how we can accelerate the global hydrogen economy in ‘ true Sarawakian style ’,” said Abang Johari .

Sarawak Hydrogen Economy

Abang Johari said many realised that changes and decarbonisation needed to happen , but the transition towards a low carbon economy did not happen overnight .

“ Sarawak is a rising tiger in the renewable energy arena . Sarawak is Hydrogen Ready – and we are opening our frontier to help traditional industries become more sustainable .

“ When the world was in various states of flux during the pandemic , Sarawak developed our Post Covid-19 Development Strategy ( PCDS ) 2030 . We specifically highlighted Renewable Energy as a cornerstone in our 10-year plan .

“ PCDS 2030 is more than our internal blueprint to shape our economy . It is a multi-faceted approach toward long-term economic , social , and environmental sustainability , built upon our aspirations for collaboration with policymakers and private sectors both within and beyond our humble island ,” said Abang Johari .

He elaborated on the phrase “ Sarawak

is Hydrogen Ready ” by explaining that the Sarawakian Hydrogen Economy had already built an ecosystem with abundant resources , sufficient infrastructure , expertise , and well-established supply and value chains . He further highlighted that Sarawak wanted to be a clean , green investment region and have global lowcarbon industries serviced by Sarawak supply chains .

“ The winds of change are high as they say , and as production scales expand and demand for alternative energy sources increases , it is foreseeable in our global future that the costs of hydrogen production will drop to possibly equivalent to LNG or less . It will be a game-changer for the economic landscape of Sarawak and many developing countries .”

Ideal setting for hydrogen hub

Around 70 per cent of Sarawak ’ s total generation mix is from its hydropower resources , which can be harnessed to produce low carbon hydrogen . This scenario provides an ideal setting to enable the hydrogen economy in Sarawak . Hence , the hydrogen research study was initiated as pioneering steps to explore , innovate and produce green hydrogen .

“ Using renewable energy such as green hydrogen produced from hydropower resources , we have the equation to produce green ammonia ,” shared Abang Johari .

Through this innovation and exploration of green hydrogen , Sarawak has developed new effective strategies to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions by introducing clean fuel ( green hydrogen ) as an alternative fuel for the public transportation sector .

According to Abang Johari , Sarawak Energy Berhad , Sarawak ’ s power utility company , is currently exploring the exciting frontiers of producing green hydrogen as a solution for the commercial and public application of hydrogen and fuel cell technology .

“ NEXO Fuel Cell Vehicles are a riveting component under our auto-expansion strategy with Hyundai , tying in with the Hydrogen Buses in the latest forays towards greening Sarawak ’ s public transportation .”

In 2018 , Sarawak Energy Berhad successfully established and commissioned

Southeast Asia ’ s first Integrated Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station . The plant can produce 130kg of hydrogen per day at close to 100 per cent purity . It now serves as a refuelling station for Sarawak ’ s hydrogen fuel cell electric buses , capable of supporting and fully refuelling up to five fuel cell buses and 10 fuel cell cars per day .

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

During his keynote address , Abang Johari announced that the Sarawak Government was exploring Sustainable Aviation Fuel ( SAF ) to accelerate Sarawak ’ s green energy agenda . It aims to sustainably produce jet fuel that will reduce carbon emissions across its life cycle .

“ Alternative aviation fuels such as SAF could be the key to sustainable air travel , contributing hugely to the industry ’ s emissions-reduction strategy and net-zero emissions goal .

“ Through our development and investment agency , SEDC Sarawak , we are collaborating with the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre ( AMIC ) to develop biofuels , green hydrogen and fuel cell for aviation .”

With recent advancements in hydrogen fuel cells for aviation , Abang Johari envisioned that hydrogen fuel cells could soon fuel up hydrogen-powered helicopters . He expressed Sarawak ’ s interest in working with the aviation and marine industries to accelerate efforts and enhance the development of SAF – biofuels , E-methanol , and the potential of hydrogen fuel cells .

“ If we all work to accelerate hydrogen markets in a coordinated way , it can help spur investments in integrated facilities and infrastructure that will bring down costs and enable the sharing of knowledge and best practices .

“ Global trade of our shared commodity will benefit from common international standards that will ultimately stimulate commercial demand for hydrogen ,” said Abang Johari .

Sarawak has partnered with leading organisations and global players like Petronas and Mitsubishi , who share a similar ambition to explore hydrogen export potential . Recently , the State introduced hydrogen modules at universities in Sarawak to equip future engineers to specialise in the industry . — @ Green