Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg checking out an electric vehicle at the adoption event by SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Pekema in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Sarawak wants to become a leading player in the hydrogen economy by the end of the decade, says Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the state was taking advantage of its abundant natural resources, including water, to develop hydrogen as a renewable energy source.
"We are working with Japan and South Korea to produce hydrogen.
"The world's economy is moving in this direction. Sarawak has the resources and we will be a main player by 2030," he said at an electric vehicle adoption event by SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Pekema (Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia) here on Tuesday (Jan 31).
Abang Johari said it was important for Sarawak to explore new areas to transform its economy with an emphasis on sustainability.
He said the state wanted to do its part to help mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
"We have to align ourselves with global needs and find alternative energy to reduce carbon dioxide, for example in the transport sector.
"The solution is renewable energy. Sarawak has the advantage of producing hydro power and we also have the potential to produce green hydrogen," he added.
Earlier, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain said SEDC Energy was collaborating with Sarawak Pekema to promote and develop the electric mobility landscape in line with the state's environmental sustainability policies.
"We welcome organisations like Pekema Sarawak to ally themselves with SEDC Energy in the pursuit of green mobility by way of developing the electric vehicle market in Sarawak," he said.
Abdul Aziz added that SEDC Energy aspired to see state government offices and agencies adopt electric vehicles in their fleet.
"SEDC Energy is currently piloting a subscription model, starting with the Tesla Model Y vehicle.
"We hope to bring in more electric vehicles by working with Sarawak Pekema," he said.
