Sarawak Energy to build pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station

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Abang Johari taking a closer look at a model of the hydrogen production plant and refuelling station. Also with him are Dr Rundi (second left), Hamed (right) and Sharbini (left). – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Sarawak Energy is building a pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station here to evaluate the viability of hydrogen and fuel cells to power the state’s transportation sector in the future.

Scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2019, this will be the first dedicated refuelling station for transportation in Southeast Asia.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg commended Sarawak Energy for taking on this project which he foresees can transform Sarawak into a mixed gas exporter in the future.

“The gas industry has transformed because of the need to have clean environment today. Previously, we were producing oxygen and we are also producing LNG (liquified natural gas).

“Maybe one day we will be producing hydrogen to the world especially if producing hydrogen in Sarawak is comparatively cheaper which in turn can transform the state to be a net exporter of gas,” he said when officiating the earth-breaking ceremony for the pilot facility at Sarawak Energy’s Western Region Office here today.

Sarawak Energy is building the facility in partnership with Linde Malaysia, part of the global Linde Group and a leading industrial gas supplier in Malaysia.

The two corporations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was witnessed by Abang Johari, to explore potential markets for hydrogen, and to undertake a joint technical study to assess the technology of the whole value chain.

Also present were Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Hamed Sepawi, group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili and Linde South Asia and ASEAN regional managing director Rob Hughes.