By Yee Mei
KUCHING, Jan 31: The Sarawak Petchem Methanol Plant is in its final year of development and hopes to receive fuel gas for boiler commissioning by this April.
If everything goes according to plan, the plant will be able to start methanol production by next January.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was briefed on the plant’s developments in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu, today, said the results from the briefing indicate that the State is on schedule to produce its own methanol for the open market.
During the briefing, the Premier also said plans had been drawn to build a dedicated jetty to allow international ships or tankers to bring methanol.
“We have also trained the workforce required for the petrochemical industry,” he said.
Abang Johari also revealed that Internet speed in the area will be upgraded to 5G with a targeted 2024 date for implementation.
“By 2024, all of Kidurong and Samalaju and some parts of Bintulu will be upgraded to 5G as this will be an important area for Malaysia and Sarawak’s economy,” he said.
“From a financial standpoint, it is sorted out and is a private sector investment.
“You can see that financial institutions have high confidence in this industry,” he said.
He added that Sarawak’s future is bright following a news report that eight out of 10 oil and gas (O&G) discoveries by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and its Petroleum Arrangement Contractors (PACs) in Malaysia in 2022 were made off the coast of Sarawak.
This means that there will be enough gas feedstock for the methanol plants.
“But what is needed is the latest technology to boost downstream activities for industries using the gas for petrochemical plants,” he said.
Abang Johari added that the petrochemical hub would be developed in stages. — DayakDaily
