November-December , 2020 | @ green industry
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Sarawak enlists Japanese collaboration for Bintulu Hydrogen Plant
Sarawak Economic Development Corporation ( SEDC ) through its subsidiary , SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd , entered a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with Japanese companies Sumitomo Corporation and ENEOS for the development of Bintulu Hydrogen Plant .
The virtual signing ceremony was on Oct 23 via Zoom and witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg .
“ This development augurs well for the future of Sarawak because the strategic partnership between SEDC and its Japanese partners will pave the way for us to venture further into the hydrogen economy agenda that is progressively being pursued by developed countries ,” said Johari .
“ Our common problem of carbon emission resulting from the use of fossil fuels is indirectly driving up the costs of living affecting all strata of our society , and this needs to be effectively addressed .
“ We cannot view the production of renewable energy as a form of damage control on the environment .”
SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain said they were optimistic about the strategic partnership with Japan ’ s Sumitomo Corporation and the country ’ s leading oil company ENEOS . They will facilitate SEDC ’ s role in realising the mandate that had been entrusted to it by the Chief Minister .
He added the partnership could potentially generate suitable investments for Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole while working towards better jobs creation for local people in the near foreseeable future .
“ The MoU signing ceremony was a significant step in defining each party ’ s roles with regards to techno-commercial study for the development of a hydrogen production plant in the Petrochemical Park in Bintulu ,” said Abdul Aziz , according to The Borneo Post .
“ The collaboration between SEDC Energy and its Japanese partners would enable all parties to explore and form a rewarding partnership for mutual benefit especially in the development of the hydrogen economy in this part of the world .”
Abdul Aziz added they were looking to forge more strategic partnerships with others . It is to boost their business ventures and to leverage on their experience , expertise as well as creative solutions to an
array of challenges that are making today ’ s business landscape even more exciting .
He pointed out recent developments had shown how Sarawak could benefit from the international green hydrogen trade .
“ The MoU reflects SEDC ’ s corporate strategy of having right partners worldwide which could become an essential asset to its business endeavour where the partnership could keep business goals on track .
“ The move could also propel SEDC ’ s achievements to another level ,” he said .
Abdul Aziz said SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd is studying the feasibility of large-scale hydrogen production to meet both domestic and export market .
He said together with their prospective partners and investors , they were planning a 1000 tons per year facility in Bintulu which would be ready in 2023 to meet the needs of potential buyers .
This plant is scalable and can be expanded to thousands of tons per year soon .
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian , Minister of Tourism , Arts , Culture , Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion were also present .
Executive Officer and General Manager of Energy Division of Sumitomo Corporation Hajime Mori signed on behalf of Sumitomo . Senior Vice President and Managing Executive Officer for Central Technical Research Laboratory , Hydrogen Business and Fuel Cell Customer Support of Eneos Corporation , Miyata Tomohide , signed for Eneos .
Signing for SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd was SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir and witnessed by SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Robert Hardin . — @ green
Photo by The Borneo Post
Abang Johari ( second right ), flanked by ( standing from right ) Abdul Karim , Aziz and Dr Sim witnessing Abdul Hadi and Robert ( right ) signing the MoU .
United effort to steer the Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda
TO integrate Sarawak ’ s hydrogen agenda , the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation ( SEDC ) initiated the Sarawak Hydrogen Association ( SHA ).
SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain said they had been actively pursuing the agenda with other agencies such as Sarawak Energy Berhad to develop hydrogen gas in the State .
The joint effort resulted in Sarawak ’ s first hydrogen fuel cell buses and the first integrated hydrogen production , storage , and refuelling in Southeast Asia in 2019 . “ To expand the collaboration and synergy , SEDC got more parties from the industry involved . We will also reach out to the academic sector to realise this vision ,” said Abdul Aziz , according to a report in The Borneo Post .
“ One of the reasons for the association is to advise the government in planning the roadmap towards sustainable hydrogen economy in Sarawak . And to propose to the authorities on the supports and tax incentives required to advance the hydrogen economy agenda in Sarawak .”
Abdul Aziz ( second left ) speaking at the Press conference . Also seen are Robert ( extreme right ), Abdul Hadi ( second right ) and Mazli .
SHA also aimed to encourage stakeholders to replace carbon-based fuel with hydrogen for the transport sector in Sarawak , help accelerate and coordinate investment in the development and commercialisation of industries related to hydrogen and fuel cell sectors .
“ The association also aims to provide a platform for knowledge and expertise sharing to enhance collaboration between government , private , and academic sectors to drive the Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda .”
Information about the Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda will also be disseminated to the public through mainstream and social media platforms . Technical schools and institutions will be encouraged to provide all aspects of hydrogen-related courses .
The pro-tem committee of SHA will be set up soon .
“ The challenge today is to build a pure hydrogen economy which is technologically viable , financially attractive , socially acceptable , and environmentally beneficial .
“ That is the reason why we need to work together -- the government , private , and also the academic sectors in advancing the hydrogen agenda for Sarawak ,” he said .
Also present were SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Robert Hardin , SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir and Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa .
Photo by The Borneo Post