NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING, 7 DECEMBER 2018, FRIDAY: A milestone in the exploration of a green energy agenda for Sarawak that potentially includes hydrogen was reached when Sarawak Energy and Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (“SMDS”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to work together in assessing potential opportunities in lower cost hydrogen production technology via electrolysis.

The MOU includes a joint study and knowledge exchange on hydrogen production technology, education and drawing up best practices as well as assessing opportunities for green certification in hydrogen production.

Signing for Sarawak Energy were Datu Sharbini Suhaili, Group Chief Executive Officer and Nooruddin Abdullah, Senior Vice President for Legal & Enterprise Risk while SMDS was represented by Omar Sheikh, Managing Director and Chris Schultz, General Manager for Manufacturing.

The MOU follows Sarawak Energy’s pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station scheduled to be ready in time for a test run of 3 hydrogen powered buses due to arrive in Sarawak by the first quarter of 2019.

The production plant and refuelling station is part of several initiatives being undertaken by Sarawak Energy as part of the state-owned energy developer’s research into greening the transportation sector through low carbon fuels for Sarawak’s capital city of Kuching.

The first such plant in South East Asia, the pilot facility lays the foundation for research on the commercial viability of a hydrogen economy for Sarawak through the production, delivery, storage and utilisation of this “fuel of the future”.

Commenting on the collaboration, Sharbini said the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technology is regarded as the missing link in the value chain of the renewable energy business.

“This collaboration with SMDS sees us working to achieve a common goal in supporting the State’s aspiration to decarbonise our energy system, augmenting what Sarawak Energy is already doing via hydropower to provide clean, renewable and affordable energy for Sarawak,” he said.

Hydrogen is a versatile molecule that acts as an energy carrier and delivers a cleaner fuel in mobility and energy storage as well as a feedstock to industrial chemical processes. Sarawak’s generation mix is primarily renewable hydropower at 75% so producing hydrogen in Sarawak from the grid would be less fossil-fuel intensive.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili and SMDS Managing Director Omar Sheikh exchange documents as Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Legal & Enterprise Risk Nooruddin Abdullah (ninth from left), SMDS General Manager for Manufacturing Chris Schultz (sixth from left) and other senior representatives from both sides look on.

File picture: The earth-breaking ceremony for the pilot facility hydrogen production plant and refueling station was held in July this year and officiated by Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg. He was joined by Minister for Utilities Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi anak Utom, Assistant Ministers for Utilities Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Datuk Liwan Lagang and Sarawak Energy Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi and Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili.

File picture: Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg at the press conference in November last year announced that Sarawak Energy will spearhead a feasibility study on hydrogen and fuel cell applications in the state. Also seen in the picture are Sarawak Energy Chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi and Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili.