By DayakDaily Team
ABU DHABI, Nov 7: Sarawak is set to develop a roadmap for hydrogen development to position the State in the global clean energy market.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said one key focus of the roadmap will be on hydrogen supply.
He stated that hydrogen production must be affordable, enabling consumers to adopt green energy widely.
“The second aspect is demand, meaning that fuel cell technology must advance. This will create demand, particularly in public transportation, where hydrogen can serve as fuel for public transport,” he was quoted saying during a special interview with Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) and TVS after participating as a guest panellist in a discussion session at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) 2024 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Wednesday (Nov 6).
He added that Sarawak’s involvement in the hydrogen industry would lead to other downstream activities that would boost the State’s economy.
Earlier, while serving as a panellist in a discussion on “Asia’s Role in Shaping the Hydrogen Market,” Abang Johari emphasised the need for studies using advanced technology to reduce hydrogen production costs, thereby making it an affordable alternative fuel.
However, he acknowledged that high production costs and the significant energy required to convert raw materials into hydrogen remain challenges in the transition to green energy.
In this regard, he said, Sarawak is leveraging its renewable energy resources for hydrogen production.
“We have an advantage in renewable energy. We’ve generated 5 gigawatts of renewable energy and aim to increase this to 10 gigawatts by 2030.
“This means we need energy to produce hydrogen, and the price must be market-competitive, allowing hydrogen to become an alternative fuel,” he elaborated.
In the Asian context, the Premier noted that China is aggressively pursuing research to reduce hydrogen production costs.
Furthermore, he said, Sarawak is also forming strategic partnerships with Japan and South Korea in hydrogen production, with plans to export hydrogen to these countries.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Sarawak Energy Berhad chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki, and other senior Sarawak government officials. — DayakDaily
