KUCHING: The Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) is initiating a thematic grant call centered on renewable energy research and development, with an emphasis on hydrogen production and storage.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative is not only a step towards lowering production costs but also a commitment to leveraging the local knowledge and resources.
“Sarawak is pioneering the hydrogen economy, positioning itself at the forefront of the transition to a low-carbon future.
“By investing in hydrogen production and infrastructure, Sarawak is not only addressing local energy needs but also creating new economic opportunities,” he said.
He added that the commitment to the hydrogen economy underscores Sarawak’s role as a leader in renewable energy innovation and its contribution to global sustainability goals.
“And one key challenge of our hydrogen economy is reducing the cost of production,” he said in his speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the SRDC Research and Development Symposium 2024 (Research that Matters 2.0) here on Wednesday.
Abang Johari said the wisdom and experience embedded within the local communities, including the indigenous peoples of Sarawak, are invaluable assets in the state government quest for global solutions.
“By integrating local expertise into our innovative research programmes and processes, we can develop approaches that are contextually appropriate and culturally sensitive, thereby enhancing their efficacy and acceptance,” he said.
He also said that the journey from innovation to broad impact is filled with obstacles.
“Scaling innovations to reach broader audiences and achieve substantial impact requires addressing barriers such as resource constraints, regulatory hurdles, and market dynamics.
“It demands a strategic approach, one that anticipates obstacles and devises solutions to overcome them,” he said.
He emphasised that by sharing best practices and drawing from its shared experiences, the state government can effectively tackle these challenges and broaden the impact of its innovations.
“For instance, the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) vaccine programme, which includes partners from the UK, Thailand, and Indonesia, is structured to support market expansion into these partner nations.
“This collaboration illustrates how strategic international partnerships can help overcome common obstacles to achieving widespread impact,” said Abang Johari.
