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PETRONAS and SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, have signed into two agreements to expedite the state’s adoption of hydrogen and renewable oil as alternative fuels.
During an official visit by the Premier of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg to the PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd (PRSB) research facility in Bangi, both parties signed a Supply Arrangement on Hydrogen Production Technology and a Joint Technology Collaboration Arrangement on Renewable Oil. PETRONAS’s President and Group CEO, Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik, welcomed the Prime Minister to the site. Also present was SEDC Chairman, YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Haji Abdul Aziz bin Dato Haji Husain.
The supply agreement was signed by PETRONAS Technology Ventures Sdn Bhd (PTVSB) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mahpuzah Abai and SEDC Energy Chief Executive Officer Robert Hardin, while the joint technology collaboration agreement was signed by Hardin and PETRONAS Chief Technology Officer Dr. Nasir Darman on behalf of PRSB.
Datuk Tengku Taufik said, “We believe that such partnership will enable greater access to cleaner energy sources for the economic growth of Sarawak specifically, as well as the nation at large.”
In his speech, the Premier of Sarawak mentioned, “We have been approached by and we are also working with many global players in the region. It is vital to gain certification and be recognised at the world stage to explore networks and the necessary accreditations with regards to future fuels.”
The Supply Arrangement between PTVSB and SEDC Energy focuses on promoting the usage of hydrogen technologies that are environmentally friendly in Sarawak. This agreement includes the supply and operation of PETRONAS’ proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser for the manufacture of green hydrogen to be delivered to the Darul Hana and Batu Kawa refueling stations.
Both parties will collaborate to cultivate local competence in manufacturing PETRONAS electrolyser technology and integrating it with the state’s existing plant infrastructure. The parties will also investigate the possibility of designing and developing a “Hydrogen City” in Sarawak.
Through the Joint Technology Collaboration Arrangement on Renewable Oil, PRSB and SEDC Energy will investigate the creation of an Initial Commercial Plant (ICP) for microalgae culture, harvesting, and crude algal oil extraction. Depending on the commercial viability, the parties may consider constructing a large-scale commercial plant in the future.
The partnership will also examine the critical success factors for the commercial production of crude algal oil, focusing on the cultivation and development of algae strains with a high growth rate, high oil content, and low production cost.
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