Dr Hazland speaking to reporters after opening the International Conference on Clean Energy 2022 at the BCCK today. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (July 27): There are plans to set up an assembly plant to produce hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Kuching soon, said Sarawak Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
Without divulging more details, Dr Hazland said the plant is to be set up by a foreign company and is part of the state government’s overall emphasis on renewable energy to power the economy.
“Also, we will import more hydrogen-powered vehicles for the usage of state Cabinet members and government officials. We will shift (into electric vehicles),” he said at a press conference after officiating the opening of a two-day 18th International Conference on Clean Energy 2022 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
Dr Hazland explained there are two types of electric vehicles, namely FCEVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and the rationale behind setting up the assembly plant here is to bring down the price of such electric vehicles for the locals.
“During our visits to Norway recently, 75 per cent of the vehicles there are EVs and they could do it in four years. When I asked them how they managed to do it, the answer given was it was due to the craze over Tesla vehicles.”
The Norwegian government had also abolished import tax on EVs as well as offering ‘discount’ on income tax for drivers of EVs, he added.
Presently, Dr Hazland said, a Japanese brand EV would cost about RM140,000 and was deemed as not affordable for most drivers, and a Tesla EV would cost over RM300,000.
The deputy minister disclosed that a meeting was held recently with Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, together with other states, on how the federal government could push for wider adoption of EVs in the country.
Dr Hazland (third right) visiting a booth set up at the International Conference on Clean Energy 2022 at the BCCK today. – Photo by Chimon Upon
In his officiating speech, Dr Hazland pointed out that Sarawak is a carbon-negative state as 65 per cent of its land surface is still covered by forests and greenery.
Carbon-negative means more carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere than being emitted.
On a related subject, Dr Hazland said the world is now seriously considering the development of renewable energy to mitigate climate change and hydrogen power is among the best and most practical alternative energy available now.
“Believe it or not, hydrogen is going to be the energy of the future,” he said.
With hydrogen power being one of the most attractive renewable energies, Dr Hazland said Sarawak offered a favourable business climate for setting up a hydrogen plant, with cheap and clean electricity available powered by hydropower, affordable labour costs and huge land size.
Two hydrogen plants are being set up in Bintulu by two companies from South Korea and Japan, and most of the hydrogen produced will then be exported back to their own countries.
Each plant is capable of producing about 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen and nearly 10 per cent of the production will be utilised for local consumption in the state.
Dr Hazland also informed the press the floating solar farm project at Batang Ai hydropower plant had already been awarded to a company, while a similar project at Bakun Dam has yet to start.
He also mentioned that developing countries were usually the ones worst impacted by climate change and thus, the state government was in the midst of formulating a climate change policy.
The state Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability is headed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg himself.