A file photo shows one of the state’s three hydrogen buses refueling at the station in Bintawa, Kuching.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has thus far spent RM16 million on the Integrated Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station, and the relevant research, said Transport Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.
He said the research and development (R&D) on hydrogen-related issues were ongoing and the government would decide how many refuelling stations to be built only after the research concluded.
Dr Jerip assured the august House that all measures had been taken to ensure that the hydrogen cell is safe and environmentally friendly.
“Hydrogen cell is established scientific technology which has been used in Germany, Canada, China, USA, England, Brazil and Scotland,” he said in a reply to a supplementary question from Violet Yong (PH-Pending) in the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Dr Jerip pointed out that the said countries had been practicing very significant safety standards and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that the hydrogen technology is safe and sustainable.
He said the issue of contaminant found in hydrogen produced at the Integrated Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station had been fully resolved by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Linde EOX Sdn Bhd (Linde).
Linde is the technology provider and system integrator during the performance test period at Linde’s cost, he explained.
“The issue of contaminant was due to the difference in the pressure range used in the plant.
“The performance test is a robust process that provides for checks to be conducted to ensure that matters detected are fixed during the warranty period, and also to resolve any teething issues which are not uncommon for research and development projects,” explained Dr Jerip.
Together with Linde, he said SEB would continue to impose stringent quality control requirements for the hydrogen production facility and refuelling station.