KUCHING, Sept 21: Sarawak’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap has secured USD4.2 billion in strategic partnerships, driving the development of hydrogen plants, support infrastructure, and innovations like the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system to sustainably produce green energy for both domestic and international markets.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Sarawak into a regional green energy powerhouse, and highlighted the importance of partnership with China in realising this vision.

“I admire China’s late leader Deng Xiaoping’s ‘Open Door’ policy and am optimistic about our continued collaboration, especially as Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed interest in revisiting Sarawak following his earlier trip to Sibu,” he said.

His remarks were delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the ‘Beneath the Mid-Autumn Moon: Malaysia and China – A Bond of Friendship, A Future of Success’ banquet jointly organised by the Kuching China Trades Importers and Exporters Association and Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China last night (Sept 20).

The RM4.2 billion partnerships for green energy initiatives refers to the development of extensive hydrogen production facilities within the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub in Bintulu and the Rembus Depot near Kuching.

Key projects at the Hydrogen Hub include the H2ornbill Project, a collaboration between SEDC Energy, Japan’s Eneos and Sumitomo Corp to build two hydrogen plants, and the H2biscus Project, in partnership with South Korea’s Samsung Engineering, Posco, and Lotte Chemical, to develop hydrogen derivative facilities.

In addition, SEDC Energy is working with Gentari, a green energy subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), to establish shared infrastructure for the Hub, including pipelines supporting the H2ornbill and H2biscus projects.

Combined, these initiatives have the potential to produce 240,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, positioning Sarawak’s Hydrogen Hub as one of the world’s leading clean energy producers. Sarawak also aims to generate around 2,000 tonnes annually for local use.

Complementing these efforts, SEDC Energy is constructing a hydrogen production plant and refueling station to support the Rembus Depot, a core component of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) and the ART system. The plant is expected to produce 1,900 tonnes of hydrogen per year upon its completion in 2025.

Deputy Transport Minister Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching His Excellency Xing Weiping, Kuching Traders Importers and Exporters Association president Datuk Yii Ming Tang, and organising chairman for the celebration Dennis Tan Hock Beng were among the distinguished guests present.