KUCHING, Apr 19: Sarawak has been hailed as the world leader in hydrogen activities by international business news agency, Bloomberg.
According to the news report, Sarawak is among the global pioneers in “getting the ball rolling” in clean hydrogen production.
Bloomberg also commended the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s strategic vision as “well ahead” with the adoption of hydrogen buses, multi-fuel stations and the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project coming to reality.
“It is a risk, but it is a calculated risk. There is no other option, we need alternative energy, and hydrogen, ultimately, is the cleanest,” Abang Johari said in the interview.
The report also attributed Sarawak’s abundance of rainfall and rivers needed to produce hydropower that can generate clean electricity crucial for emissions-free hydrogen.
“Our advantage is of course hydropower. We don’t have that issue of intermittent supply,” said chief executive officer of SEDC Energy, Robert Hardin in the report.
“With more than enough water and hydrogen to power these ambitions, Sarawak could end up looking like a model state for hydrogen,” the report also said, quoting senior advisor at Washington-based climate policy advisory firm Kaya Partners, Gniewomir Flis.
In addition, Sarawak’s foray into hydrogen has also attracted billion-dollar investments from Japan and South Korea to partner with SEDC Energy (SEDCE) through the H2ornbill and H2biscus projects in Bintulu.
“The two projects, slated to start commercial production in 2028 at the earliest, aim to produce 240,000 tons of hydrogen annually.
“The figure rivals the stated output of Saudi Arabia’s Neom plant, set to be the world’s biggest after announcing last year it would produce roughly 291,000 tons a year from 2026,” the report stated.
The report comes ahead of Abang Johari’s planned visit to Poland to attend the Central European Hydrogen Technology Forum and the Central European Decarbonisation Forum, scheduled to be held from April 24 to 25. -TVS
