KUCHING, Sarawak is developing its own hydrogen certification platform as part of its broader ambition to become a leading hydrogen hub for ASEAN, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
The platform, which will comply with international standards, is designed to enhance transparency, traceability, and buyer confidence in hydrogen trade. “This initiative could also pave the way for a regional ASEAN-level certification framework,” he said during his keynote at the World Hydrogen Asia 2025 event in Tokyo.
Themed “Securing Asia’s sustainable energy future with hydrogen and low carbon fuels,” the event spotlighted Sarawak’s green energy efforts, which are outlined under the Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint 2030. Central to this is the Hydrogen Economy Roadmap — a plan to accelerate the state’s green transition by leveraging hydrogen to drive clean energy, industrial transformation, and economic growth.
Major hydrogen projects are already progressing in Sarawak. The H2biscus initiative — a collaboration between SEDC Energy and South Korean firms Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical, and Posco — is expected to produce 630,000 tonnes of green ammonia, 600,000 tonnes of blue ammonia, 460,000 tonnes of green methanol, and 7,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually at the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub in Bintulu. Except for the green hydrogen meant for domestic use, the rest will be exported to South Korea.
Meanwhile, Project H2ornbill — involving SEDC Energy, Eneos, and Sumitomo Corporation — will add two hydrogen production plants to the same hub. Together, both projects could yield 240,000 tonnes of green hydrogen a year, potentially making Sarawak a global leader in hydrogen production.
To support the domestic hydrogen ecosystem, Sarawak is also advancing local applications. A hydrogen plant in Rembus, Samarahan will supply fuel for the state’s upcoming autonomous rapid transit (ART) system, set to launch in stages from late 2026. This system includes 38 ART trams and 55 hydrogen-powered feeder buses. Hydrogen refuelling stations are already operational in Kuching.
In rural development, Sarawak has successfully deployed hydrogen technology to power Malaysia’s first hybrid clinic in Long Loyang, Marudi. The modular system delivers up to 30kWh of power daily, providing reliable electricity for medical equipment and services to over 2,000 residents.
Abang Johari outlined five strategic pillars of Sarawak’s hydrogen strategy: scaling up cost-efficient hydrogen hubs, promoting domestic applications, securing international offtake agreements, fostering public-private partnerships, and supporting talent development.
He stressed the importance of regional collaboration to avoid fragmented efforts. “Shared infrastructure, joint R&D, and coordinated investments across ASEAN will ensure a stronger and faster transition,” he said, calling for co-investments in export terminals, storage facilities, and conversion plants.
Bintulu’s recent selection as Malaysia’s first Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) under the World Economic Forum underscores Sarawak’s leadership in clean industrial transformation. The cluster now joins 35 similar hubs globally, representing 66% of the world’s GDP.
“This recognition positions Sarawak at the forefront of sustainable industry development, where climate goals align with economic opportunity,” said Abang Johari.
