SEB investing in pilot hydrogen production plant, refuelling station
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is investing RM15mil in a pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station project here.
Scheduled for completion in first-quarter 2019, the project is to evaluate the viability of hydrogen and fuel cells to power Sarawak’s transportation sector in the future.
It is also in line with the state government’s green energy initiative.
The hydrogen refuelling station will be the first dedicated for transportation in SouthEast Asia.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg recently performed the earth-breaking ceremony for the project located adjacent to SEB’s western region office at Jalan Belian.
“The pilot plant will be able to produce 130kg of hydrogen per day, which can power five buses and 10 cars per day,” SEB group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili told StarBiz.
The state authorities have ordered three hydrogen-powered buses from China. Sarawak plans to roll out these hydrogen buses in the state capital later this year.
SEB, which was tasked by the state government to spearhead the research in hydrogen fuel cell application last year, is undertaking the hydrogen plant and refuelling station project in partnership with Linde Malaysia, an industrial gas supplier.
Linde and state-owned SEB have also entered into a memorandum of understanding to explore the potential market for hydrogen and to undertake a joint technical study to assess the technology of the whole value chain.
According to Linde’s head of regional business unit Rob Hughes, the Linde group has worked with partners in delivering some 150 hydrogen fuelling stations worldwide.
Hughes said the group was now extending its focus to Asia, adding that its partnership with SEB would enable the group to contribute its knowledge and expertise as a pioneer in the entire hydrogen value chain.
Last October, Johari led a state delegation to Europe, including Germany where they toured facilities involved in the production of hydrogen gas and manufacturing of trains powered by hydrogen. In a similar fact-finding mission to China later, Johari had a test ride on a hydrogen-powered train.
According to Johari, Sarawak plans to use hydrogen fuel cell trains when its proposed light rail transit (LRT) system is commissioned in five or six years. The LRT project will cover Kuching and Samarahan divisions in southern Sarawak.
He had said that hydrogen fuel cell system is not only cost effective but also environmentally friendly. Fuel cells, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, generate clean energy as heat and water are the only by-products.