Hydrogen hub in Sarawak

Bintulu centre aims to be the exclusive source of green gas for local downstream facilities

KUALA LUMPUR: Clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd through its subsidiary Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd has signed a heads of agreement (HoA) with SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDCE), a subsidiary of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, for the joint development of a centralised hydrogen production hub in Sarawak’s Bintulu, to be known as the Sarawak H2 Hub.

The document exchange was witnessed yesterday at the Borneo Energy Transition Conference (BETC2024) in Kuching, by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg. SEDCE has been tasked to kickstart the new energy ecosystem in Sarawak in line with the state government’s vision to emphasise the use of new and cleaner energy.

The planned global-scale hydrogen production hub in Bintulu is intended to serve as the sole supplier of green hydrogen for downstream facilities in the Bintulu division area, managed by a joint venture company to be formed by Gentari and SEDCE, which will also be responsible for optimising all hydrogen production projects within the region.

Gentari chief hydrogen officer Michèle Azalbert said Malaysia is well-placed to be a clean hydrogen hub in Asean, led by states such as Sarawak with its ample sustainable resources and Gentari has been focused on pursuing collaborations with partners such as SEDC Energy to develop the local hydrogen economy, which will create economic value for the state while positioning the country as a hydrogen export hub.

“We believe that hydrogen is the way forward and we are committed to contributing towards Sarawak’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, in addition to the Malaysian government’s vision and objectives in the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR). Hydrogen’s role in decarbonising sectors like energy, transportation, and petrochemicals globally cannot be understated, and the demand for low carbon hydrogen-derivatives is a testament to its rising significance,” she added.

Sarawak is positioning itself to be a commercial hydrogen producer by 2027 with the vision of transitioning the state into a hydrogen economy.

“This strategic partnership between SEDCE and Gentari for the Sarawak H2 hub will be a significant undertaking as this will spur more developments and attract new investments especially in the new energy sector. Hydrogen will play a role in the energy transition and as highlighted in the National Energy Transition Roadmap, Sarawak’s role in advancing this development is worthwhile to note. It resonates well with our approach to collaboration internationally and domestically,” said SEDCE CEO Robert Hardin.

Gentari and SEDC Energy had previously entered into a Strategic Collaboration Agreement to explore potential collaborations in the development and provision of integrated clean energy solutions and contribution to policy and regulatory development in the state.