Sarawak aligned to become hydrogen hub in Asian region

Abang Johari (second left) together with panel speakers at the 'Time To Act: Hydrogen Forum 2022' in Japan.

KUCHING, Oct 13: Sarawak’s vision to become a hydrogen hub in Asian region comes with necessary steps and action, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

According to Abang Johari, Sarawak had been in talks with large industries from Japan and Korea that are committed to collaborating with Sarawak to produce hydrogen to power up industries in these countries.

“With its strength in renewable power, Sarawak was well-poised to be a major green hydrogen producer and supplier in the region by 2028,” he said when giving comments as a panel speaker to questions by a moderator at the Tokyo hydrogen forum organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Wednesday (Oct 12).

Abang Johari pointed out that the threat of climate change crisis to the world warranted a concerted effort of the global community.

He said in playing its role, the Sarawak government had put in place policies that are aligned with the world’s climate change protocols designed towards decarbonisation.

He also said SEDC Energy Sarawak has been negotiating with Sumitomo Corporation and Eneos Corporation of Japan under the Hornbill Project where green hydrogen via methylcyclohexane (MCH) was targeted to be on stream by 2028.

“Sarawak is also negotiating with Samsung, Posco and Lotte of Korea under the Hibiscus Project for a buy back in the form of ammonia,” he added.

Abang Johari addressing participants of the hybrid forum that included panel speakers from other parts of the world.

Earlier on, the Premier and his delegation took a tour of the Tokyo Oi Hydrogen Station and later the Tokyo Hydrogen Museum before paying a courtesy call on the Governor of Tokyo Madam Yuriko Koike at her office.

Among those present were Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, State Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy State Secretary, Datu Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel and SEDC Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Abdul Aziz Dato Husain, Chief Political Secretary to the Premier, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily