KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – 15 November 2023
– Asahi Kasei, Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of PETRONAS’ clean energy arm Gentari Sdn Bhd
(Gentari), and JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC) today announced the
completion of a detailed feasibility study for production of up to
8,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen using a 60 megawatt (MW)
class alkaline water electrolyser system. The parties also signed
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a front-end engineering
design (FEED) study for the said project. This project is
supported by the Green Innovation Fund for Large-scale Alkaline
Water Electrolysis System Development and Green Chemical Plant
Project by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization (NEDO).
Pursuant to the MOU,
the parties are preparing for the FEED study to commence in
January 2024. The operation is planned for start-up in 2027.
This
collaboration between Asahi Kasei, Gentari, and JGC will advance
the deployment of a 60 MW class water electrolyser paired with an
integrated control system to produce green hydrogen. This
commercial-scale project demonstrates the companies’
commitment to fostering markets for green hydrogen and
establishing a foundation for regional green hydrogen production,
aligning with the broader mission of decarbonisation in Japan,
Malaysia, and across Southeast Asia.
“We are
pleased to collaborate with these two companies on a project that
will demonstrate to the world the practical application of green
hydrogen. Asahi Kasei’s experience from demonstration
experiments in Germany and managing a 10 MW electrolyser in Japan
for over three years will play a pivotal role in this
project’s success,” said Nobuko Uetake, Lead
Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and Senior General Manager of its
Green Solution Project.
“This strategic
collaboration between Gentari, Asahi Kasei, and JGC, amplifies
value for all involved. The project stands as a catalyst for
advancing Malaysia’s hydrogen economy towards achieving its
green hydrogen target of 200,000 tonnes per year by 2030, aligning
with the National Energy Transition Roadmap and Hydrogen Economy
and Technology Roadmap. Beyond this, Gentari is developing
hydrogen projects with national and state entities to position
Malaysia as the region’s leading hydrogen hub, leveraging
PETRONAS assets and the country’s strategic
advantages,” said Michèle Azalbert, Gentari’s
Chief Hydrogen Officer.
“I would like to express
our sincere appreciation for the efforts to conclude this MOU. JGC
Group is currently constructing a demonstration facility of clean
ammonia production adjacent to Asahi Kasei’s electrolyser
at Namie-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, together with an
integrated control system. We look forward to applying the lessons
learnt from the demonstration and to utilising its technical
outcomes toward the execution of this project in Malaysia,”
said Masahiro Aika, Senior Executive Officer, Technology
Commercialization Officer and General Manager, Sustainability
Co-creation Unit of JGC.