KUCHING: The Sarawak government aims to make hydrogen fuel one of the state’s energy and income sources for the future. According to Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg, hydrogen fuel, which is a zero-emission fuel, is not only appealing to the cities but can be used in the rural areas. He said that while the state government was focusing on upgrading Sarawak’s water grid, it was an advantageous to use hydrogen fuel which was produced through electrolysis.
“The future of Sarawak is bright as we can export our hydrogen fuel. It will be an inclusive right of Sarawak Petros to export hydrogen fuel in the future.
It will be a source of extra income for the state,” said Abang Johari. He stated this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Foshan FeiChi Automobile Manufacture Co. Ltd at Riverside Majestic Hotel Astana Wing here yesterday. Johari also pointed out the need to educate the public on the use of hydrogen fuel.
“This pilot project is important for the future of Sarwak and the public must be educated about the hydrogen fuel,” he stressed. Earlier on, SEDC Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Dato Haji Husain said three units of hydrogen fuel-cell buses would be delivered by Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacture Co. Ltd of China to be used as pilot vehicles by the state.
“This emission-free bus programme is part of the state’s long term plan to ensure that Sarawak’s public transportation system is run on clean energy in tandem with current worldwide trend to protect the environment,” he said. Abdul Aziz also pointed that hydrogen fuel could be used to drive electric motors in electric cars, buses, trains, boats and ships.
“Blessed with the cheap source of power from the hydroelectric dams, Sarawak can produce enough green hydrogen from electrolysis as a fuel to run its entire transport sector in the future,” he said. At the MoU signing ceremony, Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacture Co. Ltd was represented by its General Manager, Jiang Yong while SEDC was represented by its General Manager, Soedirman Aini.
