� Despite slower global investment, the hydrogen economy remains on a longterm growth trajectory. The focus is shifting from hype to commercially viable projects, supported by infrastructure, policy certainty and sustained investment.

� Cross-border initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid and the proposed Sarawak- Singapore power corridor demonstrate that trust, collaboration and shared infrastructure will be essential to achieving energy security and net-zero ambitions.

� Sarawak is moving beyond plans with hydrogen-powered transport, integrated hydrogen facilities and CCUS projects already underway. The conference reinforced that the success of the hydrogen transition will ultimately be measured by delivery, persistence and tangible results.

Delivering the closing keynote at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition( APGH) 2026, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the three-day conference had demonstrated that while challenges remain, the momentum behind the energy transition continues to strengthen.

" Over the past three days, this hall has been a space for honest conversations, strong ideas, and meaningful exchange. What we ' ve shared here in Kuching will not stay within these walls— it will travel back into ministries, boardrooms, laboratories, and communities across the Asia Pacific," he said.

Reflecting on discussions throughout the conference, Hazland said delegates had examined a rapidly changing global energy landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and technological disruption.

THE LONG GAME

He noted that Asia, as the world ' s most oilimport dependent region, faced structural vulnerabilities that required countries to work more closely together to strengthen long-term energy security.

" We were reminded of three overarching risks that sit above everything else— nuclear conflict, climate change, and disruption driven by artificial intelligence and technology. These are not challenges any one country can solve alone. They require cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility," he said.

Addressing concerns about slowing global hydrogen investment, Hazland dismissed suggestions that the industry had reached its peak.

" We also asked a key question: has the hydrogen story peaked? The answer we heard was no— the bubble has not burst, but it is maturing," he said.

He compared hydrogen ' s development with earlier renewable technologies such as solar and wind, noting that large-scale adoption would inevitably require time, infrastructure and sustained policy support.

Hazland acknowledged that grey hydro-

gen still dominates global production, while low-carbon hydrogen accounts for only a small proportion of the market.

" That alone tells us how early we are in this journey— but also how large the opportunity is if we stay the course," he said.

Regional collaboration emerged as one of the conference ' s strongest messages, with Hazland highlighting the growing importance of the ASEAN Power Grid.

He said cross-border electricity trading, renewable energy integration and shared infrastructure would become increasingly critical as ASEAN countries pursue net-zero ambitions.

Projects such as the proposed Sarawak- Singapore power corridor illustrated both the

DELIVERING CHANGE: According to Hazland Abang Hipni, the hydrogen economy is entering a more mature phase focused on delivery, investment and long-term commitment.

COMMERCIAL REALITY: As the sector matures, attention is shifting towards commercially viable projects capable of delivering long-term impact.

opportunities and complexities of regional energy cooperation.

" But beneath all the technical discussions, one truth stood out clearly— this is ultimately about trust. And trust is built through time, delivery, and sustained engagement," he said.

Hazland also highlighted Sarawak ' s strategic advantages, describing the state as possessing a rare combination of abundant hydropower resources, significant natural gas reserves, and large-scale potential for carbon capture and storage.

He said initiatives ranging from hydrogen-powered public transport to blue and green hydrogen developments were no longer conceptual plans but projects already under implementation.

On technology pathways, Hazland said green hydrogen remained the long-term objective, but blue hydrogen supported by carbon capture and storage( CCUS) would serve as an important transitional solution.

Rather than viewing carbon capture as a compromise, he said it should be recognised as a practical bridge that allows hydrogen production to expand while renewable capacity continues to grow.

He also urged greater attention to biogas and biomethane, describing them as commercially viable opportunities that can convert agricultural and palm oil waste into cleaner energy while supporting downstream industries.

Importantly, Hazland stressed that APGH had demonstrated tangible progress rather than engaging in theoretical discussions.

FROM PLANS TO PROJECT

Among the projects highlighted were Sarawak Metro ' s hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit( ART) system, integrated hydrogen production facilities and growing investments combining solar, battery storage and hydrogen technologies into modern energy systems.

He also pointed to blended finance as an essential mechanism to unlock commercially viable hydrogen projects by combining concessional funding with private sector investment to reduce financial risks.

Looking ahead, Hazland announced that the next Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition would return to Sarawak from June 20 to 22, 2028. – @ green