SEDC Energy In Talks To Export Solid Green Hydrogen

KUCHING, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), through its new energy arm, SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDCE), is in discussions with several potential offtakers for the export of green hydrogen in solid form.

SEDCE said the initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with its technology partner, Hydrexia Holding Ltd, a leading provider of integrated hydrogen technology solutions, which specialises in hydrogen production, storage, transport and applications.

“The Metal Hydride Hydrogen Storage Technology (MHX) stores hydrogen molecules via magnesium hydride, addressing transportation bottlenecks by offering intrinsic safety and higher storage density suitable for road, rail and sea,” it said in a statement today.

Hydrexia chairman and chief executive officer Alex Fang said the MHX storage container can be safely transported at ambient pressure and temperature while meeting the highest purity requirements.

“The readiness of our unique MHX has reached the level of wide commercialisation. We are committed to serving the needs of hydrogen transport and storage in the Southeast Asian region,” he said.

Currently, SEDCE produces green hydrogen through water electrolysis using the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser at its Darul Hana Hydrogen Plant, which has a daily production capacity of 150 kg.

SEDCE chief executive officer Robert Hardin said the company is optimising the plant’s potential by exploring new opportunities given the limited local demand.

“Having an operationally ready green hydrogen plant but not utilising its potential is uneconomical. With the limited demand we have now, we decided to turn this issue into an opportunity to maximise the plant’s capability,” he said.

The Darul Hana facility currently supplies hydrogen for 10 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Sarawak, comprising five Toyota Mirai units used by the premier of Sarawak, three deputy premiers and the SEDC chairman, as well as three hydrogen buses operated by Sarawak Metro and two Hyundai Nexo vehicles managed by Sarawak Energy.

SEDCE said hydrogen molecules from the Darul Hana plant are transported via tube trailers for a hydrogenation process, during which the molecules are absorbed into the MHX unit.

“The unit will then be exported to the offtake destination, where the molecules are dehydrogenated for further use,” it said.

The first MHX unit will be shipped to Singapore, marking the maiden export of green hydrogen from Sarawak and laying the foundation for a regional ecosystem to support the global energy transition.

Established in 2019, SEDCE is developing Sarawak’s hydrogen value chain, including the purpose-built Rembus Hydrogen Plant to support the Kuching Urban Transportation System currently under initial construction.

SEDCE is also spearheading major hydrogen projects such as the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub, which includes the H2ornbill Project with a Japanese consortium and the H2biscus Project with a South Korean consortium.

“These initiatives position SEDCE as a leader in Malaysia’s clean hydrogen development, which is key towards achieving the country’s net-zero 2050 target,” it added.

-- BERNAMA