By DayakDaily Team
YOKOHAMA, Dec 16: The Sarawak government is strengthening its collaboration with Japan’s ENEOS Corporation (ENEOS) to jointly develop a competitive supply chain for clean hydrogen production in the form of methylcyclohexane (MCH).
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted that this initiative aims to lower hydrogen production costs and boost Sarawak’s position in the global hydrogen market.
“Through the Hornbill Project between Sarawak and Japan, hydrogen will be converted from its gaseous state into liquid MCH, enabling bulk delivery to Japan for industrial use.
“This advancement could significantly reduce production costs, benefiting both Sarawak as a hydrogen producer and the wider market, including Japan and potentially other industries,” he said during an interview with Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) and TVS after visiting the ENEOS Central Technical Research Laboratory in Yokohama today.
Accompanying him on the visit were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, and Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
Also part of the delegation were Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy Sarawak Secretary for Economic Planning and Development Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and other senior government officials.
Abang Johari further explained that Sarawak is prioritising hydrogen production through MCH, utilising a new technology that allows processing to be done directly at the plant.
“Initially, we aimed to produce 240,000 tonnes of hydrogen by 2028–2029.
“Japan currently has two hydrogen projects: one in Brisbane, Australia, which uses solar energy, and another in Sarawak, which relies on hydropower.
“Previously, our plan was to export raw hydrogen to Japan for processing, but with the introduction of MCH technology, the processing can now be carried out locally in Sarawak,” he explained.
ENEOS, which supplies 20 per cent of Japan’s primary energy, is committed to advancing next-generation energy sources, including hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and biofuels, as part of its goal to achieve a carbon-neutral society.
The company is actively pursuing research and development (R&D) using digital technologies to ensure a stable energy supply and create innovative materials for future energy solutions. –DayakDaily
