KUCHING, July 21: Petronas and SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd have entered into two arrangements to accelerate the development and adoption of hydrogen and renewable oil as alternative fuels including exploring opportunities for the design and development of a ‘Hydrogen City’ in Sarawak.
A Supply Arrangement on Hydrogen Production Technology and a Joint Technology Collaboration Arrangement on Renewable Oil were signed yesterday between both parties during an official visit by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to Petronas Research Sdn Bhd’s (PRSB) research facility in Bangi, Kuala Lumpur.
The Premier was received at the facility by Petronas president and Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik. Also present was SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain.
The supply arrangement was signed between Petronas Technology Ventures Sdn Bhd (PTVSB) CEO Dr Mahpuzah Abai and SEDC Energy CEO Robert Hardin, while the joint technology collaboration arrangement was signed by Hardin and Petronas chief technology officer Dr Nasir Darman representing PRSB.
Petronas senior vice president of Project Delivery and Technology Bacho Pilong and SEDC Energy director Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir witnessed the signing.
Tengku Taufik emphasised that the partnership with SEDC Energy bears strong testimony to the shared vision of both parties to unlock the possibilities of what renewables can offer in realising Sarawak’s aspiration for a lower-carbon economy.
“Even as Petronas strengthens its core activities, we remain committed to collaborating and supporting the Sarawak government as its strategic energy partner, leveraging on our technological capabilities.
“We believe that such partnership will enable greater access to cleaner energy sources for the economic growth of Sarawak specifically, as well as the nation at large,” he said in a statement today.
In his speech, Abang Johari stressed that it is vital to gain certification and be recognised at the world stage to explore networks and the necessary accreditations with regards to future fuels.
“I am very pleased to see this collaboration in cultivating homegrown technologies among two local companies, SEDC Energy and Petronas. We have been approached by and we are also working with many global players in the region,” he said.
According to a media release today, the Supply Arrangement between PTVSB and SEDC Energy focuses on expanding the application of green hydrogen technologies in Sarawak.
The arrangement covers the supply and operation of Petronas’ proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser for the production of green hydrogen that would be delivered to the Darul Hana and Batu Kawa refuelling stations.
Both parties will work together to develop local expertise in manufacturing Petronas electrolyser technology and integrating it into the State’s current plant systems.
Via the Joint Technology Collaboration Arrangement on Renewable Oil, PRSB and SEDC Energy will explore the development of an Initial Commercial Plant (ICP) for microalgae cultivation and harvesting, as well as extraction of crude algae oil.
Subject to commercial attractiveness, the parties may look into establishing a large-scale commercial plant at a later stage.
The collaboration will also deep dive into the key success criteria to commercially produce crude algae oil, particularly on growing and developing algae strains with high growth rate, high oil content, and low production cost. — DayakDaily
