KUCHING, Malaysia – 10 June 2024 –
The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Johari
Tun Abang Haji Openg, today launched the Sarawak H2 Hub, a
global-scale hydrogen production hub in Bintulu to be jointly
developed by SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDCE) and clean energy
solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) through
a newly formed joint venture company.
The
establishment of the joint venture was formalised in a document
exchange ceremony at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen 2024
Conference & Exhibition in Kuching today, witnessed by the
Premier. The joint venture will be set up by SEDCE, the majority
shareholder, and Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of
Gentari, following a Heads of Agreement (HOA) signing between the
parties earlier this year.
The new company will serve
as the sole vehicle to undertake the development, construction,
ownership, operation and maintenance, and control of the Sarawak
H2 Hub, including investing in the hydrogen production trains
within the hub.
The Sarawak H2 Hub will be a facility
for standardising and optimising all hydrogen production projects
in the Bintulu area, besides operating as the sole supplier of
green hydrogen for downstream facilities in the region. The hub
adopts a unique ‘plug and play’ concept, utilising a
modular approach to integrate hydrogen production units into the
hub where common utilities and ancillary services are
pre-developed. Project H2ornbill, in collaboration with Japanese
firms ENEOS and Sumitomo Corp and Project H2biscus, a partnership
with South Korean firms Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical and
KNOC to establish hydrogen derivative facilities, are set to be
part of the Sarawak H2 Hub.
The partnership marks a
significant milestone in realising Sarawak’s ambition to
expand the use of cleaner energy, supporting the goal of becoming
a commercial hydrogen producer by 2027 and a key player in the
hydrogen economy. This aligns with SEDCE’s mandate to drive
the new energy ecosystem in Sarawak and Gentari’s vision to
be Asia Pacific’s most valued clean energy solutions
partner by 2030.
“Gentari is proud to be a
strategic partner to SEDC Energy in advancing the transition to a
low-carbon future, in line with Sarawak’s clean energy
ambitions and Malaysia’s Hydrogen Economy and Technology
Roadmap. Leveraging our collective expertise, this joint venture
aims to establish Sarawak as a key player in the green hydrogen
sector, creating substantial economic value for the state by
driving the entry of new industries and investments, creating new
high-value jobs, and spurring technological innovation through the
provision of green feedstock for downstream facilities such as
chemicals production,” commented Michèle Azalbert,
Chief Hydrogen Officer, Gentari.
“This is a good
partnership that will propel Sarawak into the H2 production hub
for the region. With the ‘plug and play’ concept, we
can also invite more investors or partners into Sarawak. From here
onwards, it will be an uphill task for us all, but I believe the
challenge will make us more resilient and ready for the larger
challenges that come ahead of us. With this my hope is to drive
the new energy economy for Sarawak and Malaysia to the next
level,” added Robert Hardin, Chief Executive Officer, SEDC
Energy.