2019 was a significant year. It was the year Sarawak’s first Integrated Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station was launched in Kuching as part of the state’s efforts to enhance the development of a clean and sustainable energy industry.
Officially launched on May 27, 2019 by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, the Integrated Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station is not only the first in Malaysia but has also made Malaysia the first country to take the leap into hydrogen energy in Southeast Asia.
Abang Johari first unveiled plans to commence feasibility study on hydrogen for energy-related application in Nov 2017. After that, the state government entrusted Sarawak Energy to spearhead the research with a preliminary allocation of RM10 million.
Earlier that year, the chief minister led official visits to Germany and China to explore hydrogen energy applications.
In 2018, the hydrogen research project materialised with the construction of the facility. Abang Johari performed the groundbreaking ceremony in June.
Since Aug 1, 2018, Sarawak has deployed three hydrogen public buses for trial runs on the streets of Kuching.
SEB has also signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Linde and Shell MDS (M) Sdn Bhd for its hydrogen R&D project.
The MoU with Linde EOX, a subsidiary engineering technology of Linde Malaysia Sdn Bhd, involves hydrogen technological value chain research while the MoU with Shell is to explore low-cost electrolysis process in hydrogen production.
