KUCHING: The Sarawak Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, has secured a prestigious study grant from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, South Korea to develop the Sarawak Hydrogen Roadmap.
In announcing this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari said the availability of the grant will enable the state to embark on a groundbreaking study to develop a comprehensive blueprint for harnessing the immense potential of hydrogen energy in Sarawak.
“We aim to advance Sarawak’s leadership in the hydrogen economy by partnering with South Korea to explore innovative strategies for hydrogen production and utilisation.
“The Sarawak Hydrogen Roadmap will guide our efforts, covering technological advancements, infrastructure development and regulatory frameworks.
“Through collaboration, we seek economic growth, job creation and environmental stewardship, contributing to global sustainability goals.”
He said this when officiating at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition (APGH) 2024 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Without disclosing the amount of the grant, he said it is quite substantial and that it is part of the Korean Government’s effort to decarbonise their country.
“We have the feedstock (that they need) therefore, we can work together with Korea. In actuality, they are now building a terminal in the power plant.
“At the moment, the terminal is producing about 6 gigawatts using coal. So, they are changing the coal to biomass and also through hydrogen. This is why they are working together with us. We produce hydrogen here and bring it to them,” he said.
Abang Johari pointed out that as Sarawak progresses in its hydrogen journey, the state would collaborate with domestic and international partners to drive the energy transition and collectively achieve its climate goals.
He pointed out that this is notably exemplified by the partnership of Sarawak Energy with Linde, SEDC Energy with Sumitomo Corporation, ENEOS, Samsung Engineering, Korean National Oil Company, LOTTE, Gentari, and many more.
“These collaborations showcase Sarawak’s proactive embrace of hydrogen, a cornerstone of the state’s new economy and a pivotal component of its sustainable energy future.
“Moreover, they facilitate technology transfer and knowledge exchange, enabling Sarawak to benefit from established players in the field and advance local capacity and innovation in developing the hydrogen economy,” he said.
