By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Oct 20: Sarawak will have the first state of the art three in one multi-fuel refuelling station in the country under its own brand Petros in the near future.
The multi-fuel refuelling station, expected to be completed next year, will become a new landmark and milestone for the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg believes the multi-fuel refuelling station will provide a cleaner environment for the state besides developing the hydrogen economy for Sarawak.
“We are embarking on a new approach whereby we will have three-in-one petrol stations.
“If there is three-in-one coffee, there will also be three-in-one petrol stations.
“The first will be refuelling using fossil fuel, and secondly using electric for electric vehicles and thirdly using hydrogen fuel. It will be the first in Malaysia to accommodate three types of fuels and also the first in Kg Darul Hana.
“I was informed that the second one will be in Batu Kawah in MJC,” he said in his speech before the earth breaking of the first multi-fuel refuelling station at Darul Hana here today.
Abang Johari explained that conventional fossil fuel used by vehicles emitted carbon which polluted the environment.
Thus, he added the state government explored new ways using a scientific approach by developing hydrogen fuel which is cleaner to the environment and this led the state government to embark on clean or green energy using hydrogen in future.
Meanwhile, the multi-fuel refuelling station at Darul Hana will be built by SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDC Energy), a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
SEDC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain in his speech said SEDC Energy will build six multi-fuel refuelling stations in Sarawak.
He disclosed that two of the stations will be in Kuching and one each in Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
Abdul Aziz noted that the multi-fuel refuelling station once completed will also be the first commercial hydrogen refuelling station in the Southeast Asia (Asean) region.
“In line with Sarawak’s ambition to be a digital powerhouse, the stations’ equipment and system features Internet of Things (IoT), automated sensors, big data analytics and cashless payments with integration to existing platforms such as Sarawak Pay.
“Manual labour in the operation of these stations will be minimised and thus different skill sets are needed compared to conventional workers at conventional stations.
“These multi-fuel stations will offer conventional fuel, electric charging and hydrogen refuelling.”
Abdul Aziz said however, the design can be fully converted to electric charging and hydrogen refuelling in the future when the usage of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles have increased.
“Aside from refuelling, these stations will provide commercial spaces for local and global brands to market their products or services, at the same time, it will spur the local economy of where the stations are built.
“With such a network, opportunities are also created for franchises to flourish in areas where they couldn’t before especially along the Pan Borneo Highway and the Sarawak Coastal Highway,” he said.
Among those present at the earth breaking ceremony include Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Islamic Affairs and DBKU Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and invited guests.—DayakDaily
