KUCHING: Sarawak Energy is advancing the region’s Sarawak Energy at forefront of powering state growth with a strong focus on hydropower and green hydrogen to support rural electrification and socio-economic development.
The Group’s Chief Operating Officer, James Ung, said the Green Hydrogen Exhibition 2024 is therefore an opportunity for the company to highlight the many benefits of green hydrogen to the people and the communities.
“The Green Hydrogen Exhibition 2024 is an opportunity to highlight the many benefits of green hydrogen to our people and communities and share some of the key initiatives and advancements Sarawak Energy has made in this field.
“These range from Southeast Asia’s first Integrated Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station and hydrogen fuel cell electric three-wheelers to small-scale hydrogen generators and storage systems.
“Going forward, Sarawak Energy will continue to focus on green hydrogen initiatives and programmes relating to small-scale mobility and electrification,” he said.
Ung said Sarawak Energy’s generation mix is primarily based on renewable hydropower, complemented by thermal resources for supply security.
“This commitment to renewable hydropower development has yielded important benefits for the company, as we have been able to drive sustainable socio-economic development in Sarawak, benefitting people across the state.
“The benefit is that renewable hydropower has enabled us to explore other renewables and clean energy solutions, including green hydrogen,” he said during the inauguration of the Green Hydrogen Exhibition.
Furthermore, Ung said Sarawak Energy focuses on electrification, which is reflected in the Containerised Solar Hydrogen Project at Rumah Bangau, a collaboration between Sarawak Energy and Pestech Energy.
“Initiated in 2019, this project provides Rumah Bangau with access to a stable and reliable electricity supply through the production of green hydrogen.
“This Containerised Solar Hydrogen System combines a conventional off-grid solar system with hydrogen energy storage housed in a modular containerised solution which functions like a regular Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) off-grid solar system, providing power.
“However, when there is excess energy, hydrogen gas is generated and stored for later use and if the load demand requires more electricity, the hydrogen gas is converted back into electricity and sent to the local off-grid system, improving overall off-grid system efficiency by using the excess energy,” he said.
Ung added that the project was successfully implemented and energised in December 2022, demonstrating the viability of similar solutions for rural electrification.
“It demonstrates the viability of similar solutions for rural electrification, which can contribute to our goal of full domestic electrification by 2025.
“Rural communities will also enjoy socio-economic development, allowing Sarawak Energy to power the growth of Sarawakians,” he said.
