logo
Premier: Sarawak aims to cut hydrogen production energy cost by over 60 pct

Premier: Sarawak aims to cut hydrogen production energy cost by over 60 pct

Borneo Post25-05-2025

Abang Johari is confident Sarawak can lower hydrogen production costs. – Ukas photo
KUCHING (May 25): The Sarawak government is optimistic that hydrogen production energy costs can be reduced to just 10 kilowatt hours per kilogramme (kWh/kg), down from the current 30 kWh/kg, through strategic collaborations with global partners.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the target is achievable through ongoing cooperation with renowned German energy company Siemens Energy, as part of the state's efforts to enhance the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen production.
'There is potential for these costs to be reduced further. Through our ongoing collaboration with Siemens, we are targeting an energy consumption of around 10 kWh per kilogramme of hydrogen.
'What I am saying here is that we are moving towards clean hydrogen,' he said during the ASEAN Women Economic Summit (AWES) panel session on 'Leading ASEAN Sustainability and Digitalisation' held in Kuala Lumpur today, as reported by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).
Abang Johari further said that through joint research efforts with the Petronas Research Division and a Japanese company, Sarawak has successfully reduced energy consumption for hydrogen production from 60 kWh/kg to 30 kWh/kg using new membrane technology.
'This research not only saves energy but also helps Sarawak meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards,' he explained.
He stressed that clean energy development will be a significant contribution by Sarawak and Malaysia toward creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.
Earlier, Abang Johari also visited the AWES 2025 exhibition along with other invited guests.
Also present were Federal Deputy Minister of Economy, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib; Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Dato Hairil Yahri Yaacob; Founder of the Women Leadership Foundation, Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa'diah Sheikh Bakir; AWES 2025 Chair and Women Leadership Foundation Founder, Datuk (Dr) Hafsah Hashim; CEO of UOB Malaysia, Ng Wei Wei, as well as other invited guests. Abang Johari Tun Openg clean energy hydrogen production

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Abang Johari praises Malaysia's global recognition under Asean charimanship
Abang Johari praises Malaysia's global recognition under Asean charimanship

Borneo Post

time2 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Abang Johari praises Malaysia's global recognition under Asean charimanship

Abang Johari gestures during his speech at the 2025 Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration dinner held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight. – Bernama photo KUCHING (June 22): Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Cabinet for elevating Malaysia's stature while chairing Asean this year. He said Malaysia's leadership at the regional level has earned recognition from Asean member states as well as external partners who appreciate Malaysia's approach as a multiracial and multi-religious nation living in harmony. 'We have seen several recognitions given by our Asean partners who observe how we develop our country with people of different races and religions living under one roof as one big family. 'In this regard, we in Sarawak certainly give our full support towards positioning Malaysia as a nation respected by the world today,' he said. He was speaking at the 2025 Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration dinner held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight. With the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Abang Johari said the state government is committed to realising the Asean Grid project, which has great potential and would enable Sarawak to play a strategic role as a major energy hub in the region. 'I had a brief discussion with the Prime Minister earlier, and I hope that one of the strategies we adopt will help realise your vision for the Asean Grid, which will provide an economic development boost to ASEAN, particularly through Malaysia's contribution,' he said. The Premier also said the presence of Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the cultural event reflected the strong relationship between the Federal Government and Sarawak. 'In fact, I was informed that the Prime Minister had another engagement scheduled for tonight. But he said, 'No, I want to go to Sarawak'… This reflects the close bond of brotherhood,' he added. Themed 'Peji Kenep Panau Pegep', which means 'United We Progress' in the Kayan ethnic language, the event featured traditional performances by the Orang Ulu, Bidayuh and Iban communities. The celebration was graced by the presence of Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi. Also in attendance, among others, were Dewan Negara President Senator Datuk Awang Bemee Bin Awang Ali Basah, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Gawai Dayak celebration main organising committee chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. – Bernama Abang Johari Tun Openg anwar ibrahim asean Asean grid

Abang Johari praises Malaysia's global recognition under Asean Chairmanship
Abang Johari praises Malaysia's global recognition under Asean Chairmanship

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

Abang Johari praises Malaysia's global recognition under Asean Chairmanship

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg speaks during the 2025 Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration dinner on June 22. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Cabinet for elevating Malaysia's stature while chairing Asean this year. He said Malaysia's leadership at the regional level has earned recognition from Asean member states as well as external partners who appreciate Malaysia's approach as a multiracial and multi-religious nation living in harmony. "We have seen several recognitions given by our Asean partners who observe how we develop our country with people of different races and religions living under one roof as one big family. "In this regard, we in Sarawak certainly give our full support towards positioning Malaysia as a nation respected by the world today," he said. He was speaking at the 2025 Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration dinner held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Sunday night (June 22). With the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Abang Johari said the state government is committed to realising the Asean Grid project, which has great potential and would enable Sarawak to play a strategic role as a major energy hub in the region. "I had a brief discussion with the Prime Minister earlier, and I hope that one of the strategies we adopt will help realise your vision for the Asean Grid, which will provide an economic development boost to Asean, particularly through Malaysia's contribution," he said. The Premier also said the presence of Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the cultural event reflected the strong relationship between the federal government and Sarawak. "In fact, I was informed that the Prime Minister had another engagement scheduled for tonight. But he said, 'No, I want to go to Sarawak'… This reflects the close bond of brotherhood," he added. Themed 'Peji Kenep Panau Pegep', which means 'United We Progress' in the Kayan ethnic language, the event featured traditional performances by the Orang Ulu, Bidayuh and Iban communities. The celebration was graced by the presence of Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi. Also in attendance, among others, were Dewan Negara President Senator Datuk Awang Bemee Bin Awang Ali Basah, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Gawai Dayak celebration main organising committee chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. - Bernama

Cheerleaders to critics: German machinery makers call for EU action on China
Cheerleaders to critics: German machinery makers call for EU action on China

The Star

time8 hours ago

  • The Star

Cheerleaders to critics: German machinery makers call for EU action on China

Germany's iconic machine makers used to be among the loudest cheerleaders for ever-closer economic ties between China and Europe. Now, as exports dwindle and facing 'increasingly strong [Chinese] competitors' beefed up by 'unfair state subsidies', the industry is demanding that Brussels put in place trade barriers to protect it. A new position paper published on Thursday by the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), representing medium-sized manufacturers that help constitute Germany's famed Mittelstand group of businesses, marks a dramatic reversal for an industry that until recently lauded the Sino-German economic miracle. 'The EU should impose countervailing duties on imports from third countries if they violate EU anti-dumping or anti-subsidy rules. China is a particular focus here with its aggressive export policy,' read the VDMA's paper. The industry group – whose 3,600 members make everything from power transmission systems and machine tools to semiconductor machines and precision tools – made clear that it was ready to compete with Chinese rivals on a level playing field. However, it was also unequivocal that it feels those conditions do not exist and that it wants governments to intervene. 'Chinese companies are heavily subsidised by the government. And they supply products to Europe that sometimes disregard our technical regulations. China is not playing fair, and politicians must respond to this,' said Bertram Kawlath, VDMA's president. The paper marks a break from decades in which German industry grew rich from selling machines made for powering the workshop of the world. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the VDMA has turned sharp critic of a harsh new reality in Germany's economic ties with China. It has spoken of being out-competed by fierce rivals in China, Europe and third markets. It will provide an early challenge for new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has taken a tougher rhetorical line on China than predecessor Olaf Scholz, but who will also have to deal with the country's powerful automotive lobby, whose views are unrecognisable from those of the VDMA. While Scholz backed the EU's de-risking strategy, research has shown that this support did little to unpick Germany's dependencies on China for critical goods. 'Compared to the previous year, there has been little change in Germany's potentially critical import dependency on China,' wrote Juergen Matthes of the German Economic Institute in an assessment published last week. The VDMA's statistics showed a substantial loss of market share in China for its companies. German machinery went from holding a 20.4 per cent share in China's import market in 2015 to 15.1 per cent in 2024. The shipments were down 12.2 per cent over the first quarter of 2025 year-on-year, German government stats showed, exacerbating a trend of declines in five of the last six years. 'Supported by the 'Made in China 2025' strategy, Chinese mechanical engineering companies have become increasingly strong competitors on the global market. Unfair state subsidies for Chinese companies play a major role in international business,' the paper said. The figures chime with broader German and EU trends: over the first five months of 2025, EU exports to China fell 7.3 per cent compared with a year earlier, while Germany's shipments fell 5.9 per cent. At the same time, China's shipments to Germany and Europe are booming. In May alone, exports to Germany – the EU's largest economy – soared 21.5 per cent, following 20.3 per cent growth in April. To France, shipments were up 24.1 per cent in May, stoking fears that Europe will become a 'dumping ground' for Chinese products that are effectively blocked from the United States due to sky-high tariffs. Soapbox, a newsletter focused on Chinese trade, forecast that for 2025 as a whole, Switzerland will import more from the EU than China, the world's second largest economy. The VDMA's intervention comes amid a clamorous debate over the direction of the EU's China policy and ahead of a crunch summit in July, where leaders will meet in Beijing to discuss thorny issues from trade gripes to China's ties with Russia. With the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House and his swift abandonment of the transatlantic alliance, many expected Europe and China to patch up their many differences. A growing body of evidence is emerging, however, to suggest that this will be more difficult than anticipated. While China's commerce ministry has talked up the prospect of a blockbuster deal on electric vehicles – which would see EU tariffs imposed last year replaced with a minimum import price – EU officials and diplomats said that was highly unlikely in the short term. Briefing ambassadors from the bloc's 27 member states on Wednesday, meanwhile, the European Commission gave no hint that a deal was close, diplomatic sources said. - South China Morning Post

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store