Abdul Aziz (second left) speaking at the press conference. Also seen are Robert (left), Abdul Hadi (second right) and Mazli.
KUCHING: Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has made a move to establish the state’s very own hydrogen society through the Sarawak Hydrogen Association to power the Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda.
This was revealed by SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain during a press conference at the SEDC building yesterday, in which he said that SEDC has been actively pursuing the agenda in collaboration with other agencies such as Sarawak Energy Bhd to explore the potential of hydrogen gas development in the state.
“The collaboration with Sarawak Energy for example resulted in our first hydrogen fuel cell buses and the first integrated hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling in South East Asia region that had been materialised in 2019,” he added.
Thus with the aim to expand the collaboration and synergy, SEDC decided to get more parties from the industry, as well as from the academic sector, to get involved and work together in realising the vision.
Among the objectives for the establishment of the society for Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda are to advise the government in planning the roadmap towards sustainable hydrogen economy in Sarawak, and propose to the authorities on the supports and tax incentives required to advance the hydrogen economy agenda in Sarawak.
“The society also aims to encourage key stakeholders in the move to replace carbon-based fuel with hydrogen for the transport sector in Sarawak, help accelerate and coordinate investment in the development and commercialisation of industries related to hydrogen and fuel cell sectors,” he said.
Apart from that, he also said that the society aims to provide a platform for knowledge and expertise sharing to enhance collaboration between government, private, and academic sectors to drive the Sarawak Hydrogen Agenda.
There is also need to promote Hydrogen Agenda to the public with information through the mass media and the internet and encourage technical schools and institutions to provide courses related to hydrogen production, storage, and also repair and maintenance of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and equipment, he added.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz also revealed during the press conference that a pro tem committee for the Sarawak Hydrogen Association will be set up to enable cooperation and provide the necessary processes for the official registration of the organisation.
“The challenge that we face today is to build a pure hydrogen economy that is technologically viable, financially attractive, socially acceptable, and environmentally beneficial. Thus, important decisions will have to be made if Sarawak is to surmount the challenges and participate successfully in the hydrogen economy.
“That is the reason why we need to work together; the government, private, and also the academic sectors in advancing the hydrogen agenda for Sarawak,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Robert Hardin, SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir and Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa.