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By Nancy Nais and Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 21: Sarawak intends to completely transition the public transportation system in the region, particularly Kuching city, to zero-emissions vehicles using hydrogren and electricity by the year 2030.
As a step towards a greener future, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this move is aimed at making Kuching a clean city, free from carbon emissions, as part of the broader vision to transform it into a smart city.
“Sarawak is currently producing hydrogen which is trialed on our public buses. Hopefully by the year 2030, all our public transport, particularly in Kuching city to begin with, will either be on hydrogen or electricity.
“Hopefully Kuching will be clean without carbon emission as part of our effort to transform it into a smart city,” he said when addressing Shape The World Summit 2023 Gala Dinner at a hotel here tonight.
With Sarawak taking the lead in the pursuit of a sustainable future, Abang Johari emphasised that the region has embarked on an energy transition to embrace the new and green economy.
Sarawak, he said, has committed to a hydrogen-based economy, recognising hydrogen as a fuel of the future and a potential solution to the pressing climate crisis.
Noting that the initial cost of hydrogen production was high as it require high power supply, Abang Johari however believes that technological advancements and innovations have the potential to reduce energy consumption required for production.
“For instance, research conducted at Petronas in Bangi has successfully reduced the energy requirement for producing hydrogen from 60 kilowatt-hours (KWh) to 40KWh, with the possibility of further lowering it to 30KWh,” he elaborated.
He added that this progress indicates a promising future where the price of producing hydrogen can be reduced over time and production becomes more cost effective and accessible for Sarawak.
Coupled with Sarawak’s abundance natural resources and renewable energy particularly hydropower, Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak has the comparative advantage to make contributions in the global fight against climate change.
Deputy Sarawak Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and Deputy Sarawak Secretary Datu Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel were among those present. — DayakDaily
