ADDING new sections and subsections related to hydrogen in the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill 2024 will emphasise provisions on the appointment of regulators, licensing, additional duties and functions of regulator, offences and penalties, extension of power to regulator on enforcement and others.
Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor said most specifically Section 19A: Appointment of Regulator, plays a very significant role to carry out the responsibility in regulating the licensing of hydrogen-related activities to realise the GPS government’s objectives especially to expand the hydrogen economy both domestically and internationally.
“Accordingly, with the regulation of hydrogen activities, it can help to protect Sarawak’s rights to upsurge the state’s income sources in line with the goals of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030),” she said.
She said this when debating on the bill during the second meeting of the third session of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Monday (Nov 11).
Dayang Noorazah added that an ordinance concerning hydrogen is very crucial and will play an important role as it helps to promote hydrogen use, where a legal framework can help to increase the use of hydrogen in the energy system, which can be beneficial for a country’s sustainable development.
“A legal framework can help to create an organised structure for the hydrogen supply chain, which includes production, transportation, storage, and utilisation.
“The amendment to the Gas Distribution Bill 2024 is a promising step forward to address these on-the-ground challenges.
“By supporting this amendment Bill, it would give Sarawak Hydrogen Economy Roadmap priority in legal considerations and approval procedures by classifying them as developments of paramount public interest and with security relevance,” she added.
Dayang Noorazah said with today’s technology, the state government should always be attentive and equipped for the development of green-based technology, specifically hydrogen, because electrolyzer technology will continue to grow rapidly and drive economic growth.
“We also do believe adapting new and latest technology will be another important building block for the hydrogen technology produced by Sarawak.
“Research and development, as well as funding through government programmes, are essential to maintain the advantages of hydrogen technology.
“If we want to meet our ambitious hydrogen generation goals, stay at the forefront of the transition towards a sustainable economy and profit from the growth it will spur, we need to act now,” she said.
