Participants waving the Ibu Pertiwi flag during Sarawak-level Malaysia Day celebration in Sri Aman on Sept 16, 2024. Photo credit: Sarawak Information Department (Japen)

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By Shikin Louis

SIMANGGANG, Sept 16: Sarawak will continue with its plan to build a bio-refinery in Bintulu once the cultivation of microalgae on a 10,000-acre site in the same division commences.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the whole world is trying to find fuel from sustainable sources, and Sarawak also has great opportunities in this field.

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According to him, the tropical climate in Sarawak provides a conducive environment for producing oil from algae.

Ongoing studies show that 1,000 acres of algae can produce 10,000 barrels of crude algae oil per day, which has the potential to be used in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), he pointed out.

“Currently, studies are being carried out in Bintulu by SEDC Energy together with Petronas. This project will be expanded to 10,000 acres, with the expectation of being able to produce 100,000 barrels of crude algae oil per day by 2030.

“A bio-refinery will be built in Bintulu to refine the oil once the 10,000-acre farm is started,” he said in a speech text read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during Sarawak-level Malaysia Day celebration held at Sri Aman Sports Complex and broadcast live on Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on YouTube today. — DayakDaily