Sarawak's Push Towards Green Hydrogen Dominance in ASEAN
Key Ideas
- Sarawak aims to become ASEAN's green hydrogen hub by leveraging its hydropower resources and international partnerships, with plans to scale up renewable energy generation to 15GW by 2035.
- Australian companies, including Fortescue, are showing interest in Sarawak's green hydrogen projects, signifying the attractiveness of the region to foreign investors.
- Through projects like H2ornbill and H2biscus in collaboration with Japan and South Korea, Sarawak could potentially produce 240,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, surpassing current production records.
- The state's innovative strategies, such as utilizing the ASEAN Power Grid for energy export and implementing carbon capture technologies, position Sarawak as a key player in the global green hydrogen industry.
Sarawak, Malaysia, is aggressively pursuing its goal to become the green hydrogen hub in the ASEAN region. Premier Abang Johari recently spoke at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, emphasizing Sarawak's commitment to scaling up renewable energy generation and commercial green hydrogen production. The state aims to generate 15GW of renewable energy by 2035 and is actively engaging in international collaborations, particularly with Japan, South Korea, and China to expand its green hydrogen supply chain. Projects like H2ornbill and H2biscus, developed in partnership with Japan and South Korea, could potentially exceed Saudi Arabia's current green hydrogen production.
Sarawak's efforts have attracted attention from Australian companies, with Fortescue and other firms expressing interest in investing in green hydrogen projects in the region. The Sarawak-Australia Business Chamber also revealed plans for significant Australian investments in green magnesium and green hydrogen sectors. These partnerships could further solidify Sarawak's position as a leader in green hydrogen development within ASEAN.
The state's ambitious plans also include utilizing the ASEAN Power Grid for electricity connectivity and green energy export, positioning Sarawak as the potential 'battery of ASEAN.' Additionally, by employing carbon capture technologies, Sarawak is targeting the decarbonization of challenging industrial sectors and has emerged as a key supplier of low-carbon ammonia to Japan.
With the support of international collaborations, innovative projects, and growing investor interest, Sarawak is poised to make substantial contributions to the green hydrogen industry. If successful, Sarawak's initiatives could significantly advance Southeast Asia's green hydrogen development and set new benchmarks for the global industry.