@ green | September-October , 2020

Sarawak Economic Development Corporation ( SEDC ) takes on the task in revolutionising the renewable energy sector

of the main goals that many countries have in tackling climate change .

According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy in 2019 , Malaysia ’ s carbon monoxide emission amounted to 250.3 million tonnes in 2018 , an increase from 241,6 million tonnes in 2017 . The primary sources of emissions were energy ( electrical consumption ), mobility ( vehicles ) and solid waste .

In recognising the need to move towards a green economy , Sarawak is embracing hydrogen ’ s role in driving towards its agenda , an idea mooted under the

State ’ s foundation of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( SCORE ) as a growth strategy for powering development through renewable energy . Through SEDC , the State had taken steps towards its goals by having the first hydrogen fuel cell buses , vehicles , and integrated hydrogen production , storage , and refuelling station in Southeast Asia .

Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain said SEDC had played a significant role in driving the State ’ s hydrogen agenda .

“ In line with this vision , the corporation has been actively pursuing the Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda in collaboration with other agencies such as Sarawak Energy Bhd and also other private organisations to explore the potential of hydrogen gas development in the State ,” he said .

“ As such , Sarawak is on the right path to capitalise on this opportunity and become a pioneer in advocating the Green Hydrogen Agenda .”

In a recent interview with @ green , Abdul Aziz shared how Sarawak was driving the hydrogen economy since it begun its pilot projects and its plans in moving forward their green energy agenda .

Success factors in moving towards a green economy

Sarawak began investing in pilot projects of hydrogen such as fuel cell buses and cars and refuelling station last year .

Abdul Aziz said from these pilot projects , there were five critical factors in moving forward the hydrogen economy .

The five factors are policy formulation , infrastructure development , industrial promotion , application and technologies , and education and capacity building .

Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Husain , Chairman , Sarawak Economic Development Corporation .

“ We need to look at government support and policies which will encourage and promote the Green Hydrogen Agenda . We are looking to collaborate and work with SEDA ( Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia ) and other relevant agencies ,” he said .

“ This is to include hydrogen economy or agenda as part of the national policy objectives for renewable energy and to provide the budget for hydrogen research and development , subsidies for hydrogen production facilities and infrastructure and the abolition or reduction of import duties for FC ( fuel cell ) vehicles imported into Malaysia .”

He said the State government ’ s support also played an essential role in promoting , stimulating , facilitating the development of hydrogen as the renewable energy of choice .

“ To ensure the agenda is a success , laws and guidelines on hydrogen standards and regulations for the production , storage and distribution of hydrogen must also be formulated , as well as to recommend reforms to existing non-compliance standards ,” said Abdul Aziz .

“ Another critical factor is infrastructure development . Most developed countries have started to build infrastructures to meet the demand of consumers who have made the changeover to FC ( fuel cell ) vehicles .

“ In Sarawak , we had already begun the initiative by piloting an integrated hydrogen production , storage , and refuelling stations . These infrastructures are not cheap compared to traditional fuel ’ s facilities .”

Hence , he said , to encourage private sector investments in the building of this new infrastructure , subsidies from the government would be required , particularly in the early stage .

The success of the green agenda relies on investors participation in hydrogen production projects .

“ To encourage private sector participation in new ventures , we would have to provide tax incentives , customs and excise duty exemptions , and other fiscal incentives applicable to such investment ,” he said .

“ These incentives , coupled with easy access to funding , will create a favourable investment climate to attract industry players to participate in hydrogen economy development .”

Abdul Aziz also said to ensure the hydrogen agenda benefitted the general public , including those in the rural area , they would need to diversify the application of FC and hydrogen technologies in several areas .

“ For instance , the Automated Rapid Transit ( ART ) transportation system will benefit the urban population . Developing FC to power small boats and express boats will help users of the riverine transport .

“ On the other hand , the development of the stationary power generator by integrating FC with solar panels will benefit people living in isolated areas not served by the grid ,” he said .

Education , Abdul Aziz added , was also of utmost importance as there was a need to educate the people to embrace the idea of a green hydrogen economy .

“ People must be made aware of its benefit , especially to the environment , and that hydrogen is safe to use in vehicles . In Sarawak , we started this process by making our hydrogen fuel cell buses available to the general public since January 2020 . However , more promotion and awareness are needed to garner public support for this agenda .

“ In terms of capacity building , we should have a dedicated training and development centre to cater for developing our talents in this new field . It should cover the tertiary education institution as well as vocational and technical schools .

He also said more grants were required to conduct