Energy consumption for Sarawak's hydrogen production cut by half
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the state is moving towards clean hydrogen. (Ukas pic)
PETLALING JAYA : Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has praised a joint research conducted by national oil company Petronas and a Japanese company, which he says has helped the state reduce energy consumption for hydrogen production.
Abang Johari said the use of membrane technology has reduced energy consumption to 30kWh/kg from 60kWh/kg, The Borneo Post reported.
'This research not only saves energy but also helps Sarawak meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards,' he was quoted as saying.
He is optimistic it could be reduced even further to 10kWh/kg through Sarawak's ongoing collaboration with Germany's Siemens Energy.
'We are moving towards clean hydrogen,' he said.
Abang Johari said clean energy development will be a significant contribution by Sarawak and Malaysia towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.
It was reported in February that Sarawak is aiming to become Asean's green hydrogen hub, by leveraging its hydropower resources and international collaborations to build a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
South-East Asia's budget airlines bet on travel demand, despite competition woes: Analysis
SEOUL: South-East Asia's biggest budget airlines are pursuing a bruising capacity expansion race despite rising cost pressures that are squeezing profitability and led Qantas Airways to shut down Singapore-based offshoot Jetstar Asia. Low-cost carriers have proliferated in Asia in the past two decades as disposable incomes rise, supported by robust travel demand from Chinese tourists. Demand for air travel in Asia is expected to grow faster than other regions in the next few decades and carriers like Vietnam's VietJet Aviation and Malaysia-headquartered AirAsia are to buy more planes to add to their already large orderbooks as they seek to gain market share. But margins are thinner than in other regions. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline industry body, this year expects Asia-Pacific airlines to make a net profit margin of 1.9%, compared with a global average of 3.7%. Airlines across Asia have largely restored capacity since the pandemic, which has intensified competition, especially for price-sensitive budget travellers, and pulled airfares down from recent high levels. International airfares in Asia dropped 12% in 2024 from 2023, ForwardKeys data shows. AirAsia, the region's largest budget carrier, reported a 9% decline in average airfares in the first quarter as it added capacity and passed savings from lower fuel prices onto its customers. Adding to challenges for airlines, costs such as labour and airport charges are also rising, while a shortage of new planes is driving up leasing and maintenance fees. This shifting landscape prompted Australia's Qantas to announce last week that its loss-making low-cost intra-Asia subsidiary Jetstar Asia would shut down by the end of July after two decades of operations. Jetstar Asia said it had seen "really high cost increases" at its Singapore base, including double-digit rises in fuel, airport fees, ground handling and security charges. "It is a very thin buffer, and with margins this low, any cost increase can impact an airline's viability," said IATA Asia-Pacific Vice President Sheldon Hee, adding that operating costs were escalating in the region. Aviation data firm OAG in a February white paper said Asia-Pacific was the world's most competitive aviation market, with airfares driven down by rapid capacity expansion "perhaps to a point where profits are compromised". "Balancing supply to demand and costs to revenue have never been more critical," the report said of the region's airlines. South-East Asia has an unusually high concentration of international budget flights. Around two-thirds of international seats within South-East Asia so far this year were on budget carriers, compared to about one-third of international seats globally, CAPA Centre for Aviation data shows. Qantas took the option to move Jetstar Asia's aircraft to more cost-efficient operations in Australia and New Zealand rather than continue to lose money, analysts say. Budget operators in South-East Asia were struggling for profits amid fierce competition even before the pandemic and now there is the added factor of higher costs, said Asia-based independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie. Low-cost carriers offer bargain fares by driving operating costs as low as possible. Large fleets of one aircraft type drive efficiencies of scale. Jetstar Asia was much smaller than local rivals, with only 13 aircraft. As of March 31, Singapore Airlines' budget offshoot Scoot had 53 planes, AirAsia had 225 and VietJet had 117, including its Thai arm. Low-cost Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific had 99. All four are adding more planes to their fleets this year and further into the future. VietJet on Tuesday signed a provisional deal to buy up to another 150 single-aisle Airbus planes at the Paris Airshow, in a move it said was just the beginning as the airline pursues ambitious growth. The deal comes weeks after it ordered 20 A330neo wide-body planes, alongside an outstanding order for 200 Boeing 737 MAX jets. AirAsia, which has an existing orderbook of at least 350 planes, is also in talks to buy 50 to 70 long-range single-aisle jetliners, and 100 regional jets that could allow it to expand to more destinations, its CEO Tony Fernandes said on Wednesday. "At the end of the day, it is go big or go home," said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. - Reuters
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
WEF Asean 2025 highlights regional resolution on women's empowerment
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women Economic Forum (WEF) Asean 2025 concluded on Saturday (June 21) after three impactful days of dialogue, culminating in the announcement of 27 comprehensive resolutions designed to accelerate women's leadership and inclusive economic growth across the Asean region and beyond. Asean WEF 2025 president Dr Hartini Osman said the resolutions represent a bold, actionable roadmap for Asean nations to empower women through targeted leadership, education, innovation and policy integration. "The outcomes of this forum are crucial in realising the aspirations of women across Asean and globally to advance empowerment, to give voice to those often unheard, and to carry a collective mandate forward. "These resolutions will be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister and the relevant ministers to support the development of gender-related policies that are inclusive, effective and responsive to women's real needs," she told reporters after the closing ceremony of WEF Asean 2025 at Dewan Perdana at the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) Saturday. The forum themed "Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the Asean Sheconomy", which started on June 19, was officially closed by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, alongside Women Economic Forum founder and president Dr Harbeen Arora Rai. The closing ceremony also witnessed the official handing over of the WEF Asean 2025 resolutions to Dr Harbeen as well as the symbolic passing of the baton by Hartini to the Philippines, which will host the next edition of the WEF forum in October 2026. According to Hartini, the resolution is structured across four key dimensions, beginning with "Inner Power", which focuses on empowering women from within through leadership, education and innovation, while the second dimension, "Inclusion" promotes equitable and sustainable economic growth. The third dimension, "Integration", emphasises cultural, digital, and policy integration for Sheconomy Growth whereas the fourth dimension, "Innovation', calls for improved global connectivity and visibility of Sheconomy in post-normal times. The forum gathered 614 participants from 33 countries, supported by four advisory board members, nine Asean advisors, and three ministries; Miti, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and the Health Ministry. The high-impact programme featured 24 parallel sessions, 10 plenary discussions, six workshops, nine roundtable sessions, and four firechat dialogues, supported by four keynote speakers, 29 moderators, and 20 members of the organising secretariat. Meanwhile, speaking at the closing ceremony, Noraini said the forum serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when shared purpose is matched by decisive action, and when women unite across borders to build a common and brighter future. "This forum sparks inspiration and provides a blueprint for long-term cooperation. And the ideas born here, if nurtured and carried forward, have the power to shape policies, influence markets, and redefine inclusive leadership in Asean and beyond," she said. She also said the forum also acknowledged that bold ideas often come with challenges including complexity, limited resources, resistance to change, steep learning curves as well as the need for time to test and refine them. "Let us reaffirm our commitment to good governance, the cornerstone of impactful intergenerational agendas. As we move from discussion to implementation, the principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness are more vital than ever. "We believe the outcomes of this forum will be translated into real, measurable actions through sound policies, innovative enterprises, community-led efforts and meaningful collaborations," she added. - Bernama
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Penang to continue vape industry talks before deciding on possible ban, says state exco
BUTTERWORTH, June 21 — The Penang government will continue holding engagement sessions with stakeholders on the vape industry before considering implementing a ban on it in the state. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the engagement sessions aim to gather views and suggestions from all parties on the matter. 'Last Thursday, I met with representatives from the Vape Entrepreneurs Group Association, and we listened to the various issues they raised concerning the industry, particularly regarding Act 852 – the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. 'They also expressed concerns about the impact of the act's implementation on the industry, and based on the feedback received, Act 852 can be considered one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the country compared to other industries,' he told reporters after attending an Engagement Programme with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (Pemadam), here today. Gooi said the state government is also prepared to consider a ban on vape sales if the enforcement of Act 852, which takes effect on Oct 1, does not yield the desired positive outcomes. He said that a regulatory mechanism for the supply of electronic cigarettes has been introduced through the act, and the strategy to reduce its usage in Penang must be implemented in a comprehensive and planned manner. Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that state governments have the legal space to implement a ban on the sale of vape products in their respective states. — Bernama
