KUCHING: Sarawak is looking into the possibility of cultivating algae in its coastal areas as part of its commitment to providing cleaner and viable energy options to power aircraft through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak had an abundance of algae sources that could be extracted to produce aviation biofuel or algae-based biofuels.
“We can use carbon dioxide as a solvent agent to extract the oil from the algae,” he told reporters after officiating at the International Symposium on Digital Industry Transformation 2022 at CENTEXS Kuching, today (June 7).
He said a lab would be set up to carry out further studies on algae production.
“I want to build a lab first, and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Energy will be working with researchers to explore new ways of growing algae.
“Once we have the lab, once is it proven … then we see how we can grow this algae on our coastline,” he said.
Abang Johari revealed that the state’s vast mangrove area and good weather provided a environment for algae cultivation.
“Imagine once there is mass production of algae many gallons of biofuel can be produced,” he said, adding biofuel from algae would be a new type of renewable energy for aviation.
Earlier, in his speech, Abang Johari said Sarawak might also collaborate with the Brunei and Indonesian governments to produce SAF.
“From algae, we are able to be the producer of aviation fuel. We may even be ahead of Saudi Arabia in producing biofuel which is renewable oil,” he said.
