KUCHING: Sarawak Energy is in the midst of a feasibility study on hydrogen fuel cell application for the State, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said yesterday.
He said allocation had been provided to conduct research on hydrogen production and hydrogen applications which include the setting up of a hydrogen production plant.
“We are optimistic that our research into alternative supply options and smart technology will reap benefits for Sarawakians all over,” he said when officiating at the launching of the 4th International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2018 at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
Abang Johari said within the next three years, Sarawak’s public transportation landscape will undergo a transformation for the better whereby electric-powered buses will ply the streets.
“At its heels will be to expand this category of buses to hydrogen-powered ones, making Kuching the first city in the country to have such buses as a pilot project,” he said.
“This demonstrates Sarawak’s commitment towards a better and cleaner environment in the reduction of greenhouses gas emissions.
“We are also looking into better connectivity by having the Light Railway Transit (LRT) system for Kuching city that will run on hydrogen fuel and if this turns out feasible, then it will be extended to other parts of the State.
“The future of Sarawak is going to be an exciting one. The state and its people are embracing technology like never before for we understand how significant is the global movement of the Green Energy Economy that will subsequently pave the way for the State’s vision of building a Digital Economy. We don’t intend to be left behind,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference later, he said Sarawak will be doing a research on hydrogen as a source of fuel cell and is collaborating with technology experts on a pilot project where it can supply hydrogen and using hydrogen to power its public transport.
“Initially, we are using buses, pilot buses – three vehicles and two buses plying the streets of Kuching using hydrogen which is the energy for the future, particularly for public transport,” Abang Johari said.
The Chief Minister also said he had discussed with the Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Senator Dato’ Sri Devamany S. Krishnan that Malaysia (The Road Transport Department) update its legislation on public transport.
“Because Malaysia is not updating its legislation, you cannot embrace modern technology. In other word, public transport is under the federal lease and the federal government has to look into that otherwise you cannot use the hydrogen buses if the legislation is not there,” he said.
He added, “If the power is with the State I will do it, but it is not within the power of the State.”
He said Sarawak will continue to play its part to meet the world demand for green energy and also help in reduction of carbon emission.
Sarawak, he said, is very fortunate that its energy need basically is focused on renewable energy of which hydro is playing an important role and its energy production is based more on hydro though the road map will include the supply of other renewable source such as solar.
He hoped that the Summit which is attended by all major stakeholders including players in the energy sector from all over the world will produce certain new approaches towards the development of clean energy.
“This Summit, I hope, will produce certain sorts of new ideas and we are very fortunate that Sarawak has been chosen to be the host of this Summit. We share the technology and the roadmap what Sarawak Government has adopted,” he said.
The Summit with the theme “Sustainable Energy: The Future is Here” was jointly organised by Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia and the State Ministry of Utilities, and co-hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water and the Sarawak State Government.
