Sarawak bets on fuel of the future with SE Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production plant, refuelling station
Abang Johari (front, fifth left) and others pose with the newly-unveiled hydrogen-powered bus. – Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak launched its first integrated hydrogen production plant and refueling station at the Sarawak Energy Western Regional Office here yesterday.
The facility – the first of its kind in Malaysia and also Southeast Asia – includes a plant built by Sarawak Energy that produces hydrogen through an electro-chemical process called electrolysis, as well as a refueling station for Sarawak’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses under the ownership and management of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
The construction and operation of the hydrogen production plant and refuelling station was undertaken by Sarawak Energy in collaboration with Linde EOX Sdn Bhd, a subsidary of Linde Malaysia.
The Linde Group is among the world’s leading industrial gases and engineering companies.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the launching ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, among others.
The collaboration provides a platform for knowledge-sharing and transfer of technology, allowing Sarawak Energy to explore in situ the development of hydrogen as a fuel for the future.
(From fourth right) Abang Johari, Masing, Dr Rundi and others give the thumbs-up in a photo call at the refueling station.
Through the facility, Sarawak Energy is exploring hydrogen’s potential to be part of the state’s energy mix for a green transportation system as well as energy storage with export potential.
The pilot project builds on the state’s foundation of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) as a growth strategy for powering development through renewable hydropower.
It is expected to contribute to the body of local and global knowledge regarding hydrogen technology and its application, especially in a tropical environment.
One of the hydrogen-powered buses seen at the launch.
The production plant is able to produce 130kg of hydrogen per day at a purity of 99.999 per cent, and is capable of supporting and fully refueling up to five fuel cell buses and 10 fuel cell cars per day.
Hydrogen has zero carbon emission, with water and heat being the only by-products when used in fuel cells for transportation.
The plant was commissioned on a design-and-build basis in accordance with all relevant regulations, codes, standards and best practices referenced from the design and operation of other international world class facilities.
SEDC, meanwhile, is entrusted to acquire and manage the three hydrogen fuel cell buses for research to improve Sarawak’s green public transportation system.
A hydrogen-powered vehicle is seen next to the refueling station.