Lee: S’wak exploring ways to make green economy transition pay for itself

MIRI (Sept 7): As the Sarawak government continues its efforts of building a green and resilient economy by harnessing natural resources for hydrogen production, it is also exploring ways to make the process more economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said hence, research and studies to lower the cost of hydrogen production has been among the government’s focus.

He said over the years, Sarawak’s significant investments in renewable energy have positioned Sarawak as a regional leader in the green energy sector, providing a model for others to follow.

“The energy transition is not just an academic discussion or industry attention — it is a global imperative that demands our immediate and sustained attention. It is also about ensuring our energy systems are reliable, affordable and above all, sustainable for future generations.

“In Sarawak, we have long recognised the importance of being at the forefront of this energy transformation. Our state’s commitment to sustainable development is deeply rooted in our policies, as outlined in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.

“We envision a prosperous, inclusive and environmentally sustainable Sarawak and central to this vision is our transition to clean and renewable energy,” he said in his remarks when officiating the International Conference on Energy Transition and Exhibition (ICETE) 2024 dinner at a local hotel here.

Lee stressed the burgeoning hydrogen economy is exciting and initiatives like the Hydrogen Testbed and Refuelling Station project at Curtin University Malaysia marks a significant milestone in the efforts to diversify the state’s energy portfolio and build a sustainable energy ecosystem that can drive Sarawak forward.

“The establishment of the Centre of New and Sustainable Energy Research and Venture at Curtin University Malaysia is a landmark achievement, serving as a platform for innovation, collaboration and the development of cutting-edge technologies that can propel our energy transition efforts.

“It aligns perfectly with Sarawak’s mission to position itself as a leader in clean energy solutions not only for Malaysia, but the entire Asean region,” he said.

Lee also believed the insights and innovations from ICETE 2024 would undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping policies and strategies that would accelerate the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.