PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s first solid-state hydrogen reactor for sustainable electricity generation in rural areas will be launched in the first quarter of 2025, says the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti).
Minister Chang Lih Kang said the 5kW reactor will be deployed in Tanjung Malim, Perak.
“The pilot project is the third initiative using solid-state hydrogen to generate electricity in remote locations, particularly where there is no existing power supply,” he said.
The hydrogen reactor, he said, is intended to power the community hall for the Orang Asli, with expansion to clinics if the deployment is successful.
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“The programme aims to provide energy solutions to rural areas in Malaysia that lacked access to the national grid.
“The capacity of 5kW is suitable for smaller-scale electricity needs. Once it is successful, we can consider scaling up,” he said.
Chang also said if Malaysia succeeds in its hydrogen roadmap, it could enter the international green hydrogen market, securing a strong global position.
He recognised that Sarawak is leading in efforts to promote hydrogen vehicles, having established multi-fuel refuelling stations offering consumers options of conventional fossil fuels, electricity for EV charging and hydrogen refuelling.
“The state government intends to set up six multi-fuel stations with facilities already operational in Kuching and the Daro District,” said Chang.Currently, there are five hydrogen cars in Sarawak, and the state government has launched a hydrogen-powered “smart tram” and hydrogen buses.
“Sarawak has established two clean hydrogen production plants. One is a joint venture with (South) Korea, and the other with Japan. The green hydrogen produced there is exported to Japan and (South) Korea,” he added.
In a statement to The Star, Mosti said NanoMalaysia Bhd (NMB), which is under the ministry, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia’s Fortescue to explore collaboration opportunities in research and development in Malaysia’s green hydrogen industry.
It added that the NMB Hydrogen HyPEReactor (5kW) would produce hydrogen gas to be fed into a fuel cell to generate electricity and that the system’s input material could be recycled up to 500 times.
The HyPEReactor will be deployed in Pos Tibang, Perak, and Kampung Tekam, Johor, with a project investment cost of RM2mil.
With additional budget allocation, expansion could include powering lighting for food trucks, night markets and Ramadan bazaars as an alternative to diesel generators.
Budget 2025 will fund operations and maintenance and upgrade the HyPEReactor to include automation, the ministry added.
The ministry said hydrogen production primarily involves two technological pathways - splitting water molecules to produce hydrogen and oxygen, and splitting hydrocarbon molecules to yield hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
“Both methods require substantial energy, making stable, cost-effective renewable energy crucial for generating green hydrogen. Sarawak holds a comparative advantage in this area due to its abundant hydropower resources,” it added.
As of the end of 2023, Sarawak’s power generation capacity stands at 5,675MW, with hydroelectric plants contributing 3,452MW. Studies indicate that Sarawak has the potential to harness up to 20,000MW of hydropower across 52 sites.
