10 • Cover Story
10 • Cover Story
@ green | May-June . 2024
Powering tomorrow
Visionary endeavour poised to reshape the global landscape of hydrogen production
BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO
TWO major players in the energy sector , SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd ( SEDCE ) and Gentari Hydrogen ( Gentari ), have forged a transformative alliance . This landmark agreement was announced at the prestigious Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen ( APGH ) 2024 Conference and Exhibition , held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK ), on Jun 10-12 .
The occasion , graced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg , witnessed the exchange of documents between SEDCE CEO Robert Hardin and Gentari CEO Sushil Purohit , marking the inception of the Sarawak H2 Hub .
With SEDCE as the majority shareholder and Gentari , the joint venture is set to pioneer innovation and sustainability in the energy domain .
This strategic move , rooted in a Heads of Agreement ( HoA ) signed earlier this year , is a significant step towards establishing Bintulu as a hub of green hydrogen excellence .
The Sarawak H2 Hub isn ’ t just a project ; it ’ s a visionary endeavour poised to reshape the global landscape of hydrogen production .
The Sarawak H2 Hub embodies efficiency and collaboration at its core . It adopts a pioneering ‘ plug and play ’ concept , integrating modular hydrogen production units . This approach streamlines operations and enhances scalability , making it a mo del for future hydrogen production projects .
It aims to standardise hydrogen production projects in Bintulu and positions itself as the primary supplier of green hydrogen to regional downstream facilities .
Sushil ( left ) and Hardin exchange documents witnessed by Abang Johari . PHOTO BY THE BORNEO POST .
EXPANDING USE OF CLEANER ENERGY
The partnership between SEDCE and Gentari is a significant milestone in Sarawak ’ s pursuit of expanding the use of cleaner energy . It not only supports the goal of becoming a commercial hydrogen producer by 2027 but also positions Sarawak as a prominent participant in the hydrogen economy , instilling hope for a greener future .
Hardin stated : “ With the ‘ plug and play ’ concept , we can invite more investors or partners into Sarawak . From here onwards , it will be an uphill task for us all , but the challenge will make us more resilient and ready for the larger challenges ahead . With this , I hope to drive the new energy economy for Sarawak and Malaysia to the next level .”
This is also consistent with Gentari ’ s goal of becoming the most esteemed renewable energy solutions partner in the Asia Pacific region by 2030 and SEDCE ’ s mandate to advance the new energy ecosystem in Sarawak .
Moreover , Projects like H2ornbill , in collaboration with esteemed Japanese firms Eneos and Sumitomo Corp , and H2biscus , a strategic partnership with South Korean giants Samsung
Engineering , Lotte Chemical , and KNOC , are poised to become integral components of the Sarawak H2 Hub .
These ventures signify a concerted effort towards sustainable energy practices and global environmental stewardship .
While the Sarawak H2 Hub emerges as a beacon of progress , heralding a new era of sustainable energy production and collaboration in the heart of Bintulu , The APGH 2024 Conference also bore witness to a symphony of partnerships and agreements , underscoring a collective commitment to a greener future . - @ green
Kuching ART aims high
KUCHING ’ S new Autonomous Rapid Transit ( ART ) system will attract around 100,000 daily riders within five years .
While the target of attracting 100,000 daily riders to Kuching ’ s new Autonomous Rapid Transit ( ART ) system may seem modest in comparison to other metropolises , Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd CEO Mazli Mustaffa believes it ’ s an achievable goal . He points to Kuching ’ s unique demographics and the project ’ s early stages as factors that could contribute to its success .
Mazli acknowledged the challenges Kuching ’ s smaller population and secondary city status posed compared to larger Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley .
“ Kuching can be considered a secondary city . Therefore , the ridership is much lower compared to those mixed
Datuk Sharbini Suhaili cities in Malaysia or within the region , such as Singapore and Bangkok ,” Mazli explained during a forum at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen ( APGH ) Conference and Exhibition on Jun 10-12 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK ).
The forum , titled ‘ Forging Ahead : Keeping Up with Green Hydrogen Developments in Sarawak ’, provided a platform for discussing the ART ’ s expected daily ridership and fare structure .
Mazli reassured the audience that the ART system ’ s fare would be competitive , aligning with the fare structures of urban transit systems in larger cities like Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley .
COMPREHENSIVE FEEDER BUS NETWORK
This , he explained , is due to the use of a
Mazli presents the case study on the Kuching Urban Transportation System ( KUTS ) project at APGH 2024 .
different mode of transport technology compared to the MRT ( Mass Rapid Transit ) and LRT ( Light Rail Transit ).
Complementing the ART system , Sarawak Energy CEO Datuk Sharbini
Suhaili stressed the importance of a comprehensive feeder bus network to enhance ridership .
“ One of the key factors is having a comprehensive network , which will significantly enhance our chances of achieving higher ridership .”
Sharbini also pointed out the cultural challenge of encouraging Kuching residents to adopt public transport , noting the common practice of parking vehicles directly in front of shops . He said : “ That ’ s going to be a key challenge because we need to encourage people to take the feeder bus to their destinations .”
Sharbini reiterated the commitment to public education and infrastructure , expressing confidence that these measures could overcome the cultural challenges of encouraging Kuching residents to adopt public transport . He believes that these efforts will pave the way for the ART system ’ s success . – @ green