KUCHING: The SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDCE) and Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) have formed a joint venture as a centralised vehicle for developing and operating the Sarawak H2 Hub in supporting the state’s hydrogen economy ambitions.
Located in Bintulu, the Sarawak H2 Hub is a global-scale hydrogen production hub which will serve as the sole vehicle to undertake the development, construction, ownership, operation and maintenance, including investing in the hydrogen production trains within the hub.
According to their joint statement, the hub will be a facility for standardising and optimising all hydrogen production projects in the Bintulu area, besides operating as the sole supplier of green hydrogen for downstream facilities in the region.
The hub adopts a unique ‘plug and play’ concept, utilising a modular approach to integrate hydrogen production units into the hub where common utilities and ancillary services are pre-developed.
It added that Project H2ornbill, in collaboration with Japanese firms ENEOS and Sumitomo Corp and Project H2biscus, a partnership with South Korean firms Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical and KNOC to establish hydrogen derivative facilities, are set to be part of the Sarawak H2 Hub.
“The partnership marks a significant milestone in realising Sarawak’s ambition to expand the use of cleaner energy, supporting the goal of becoming a commercial hydrogen producer by 2027 and a key player in the hydrogen economy.
“This aligns with SEDCE’s mandate to drive the new energy ecosystem in Sarawak and Gentari’s vision to be Asia Pacific’s most valued clean energy solutions partner by 2030,” it said.
For the record, the establishment of the joint venture was formalised in a document exchange ceremony at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition (APGH) 2024 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today, witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The joint venture will be set up by SEDCE, the majority shareholder, and Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Gentari, following a Heads of Agreement (HOA) signing between the parties earlier this year.
Gentari chief Hydrogen officer Michèle Azalbert stated that Gentari is proud to be a strategic partner to SEDC Energy in advancing the transition to a low-carbon future, aligning with Sarawak’s clean energy ambitions and Malaysia’s Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap.
“Leveraging our collective expertise, this joint venture aims to establish Sarawak as a key player in the green hydrogen sector, creating substantial economic value for the state by driving the entry of new industries and investments, creating new high-value jobs, and spurring technological innovation through the provision of green feedstock for downstream facilities such as chemicals production,” she said.
Meanwhile, SEDCE chief executive officer Robert Hardin lauded the partnership as it will propel Sarawak into the H2 production hub for the region.
“With the ‘plug and play’ concept, we can also invite more investors or partners into Sarawak. From here onwards, it will be an uphill task for us all, but I believe the challenge will make us more resilient and ready for the larger challenges that come ahead of us.
“With this my hope is to drive the new energy economy for Sarawak and Malaysia to the next level,” he said.
