SEDC Energy inks Joint Development Agreement with Japanese corps for establishment of clean hydrogen supply chain

Saito (centre) flanked by Dr Hazland (second right) on his left at the recent Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Forum in Tokyo, Japan. Also seen from left are representatives from Sumitomo Corp, ENEOS Corp, and SEDC Energy following the signing of the Joint Development Agreement (JDA).

KUCHING, Dec 19: SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDC Energy), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has recently entered a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with its Japanese partners, ENEOS Corporation (ENEOS) and Sumitomo Corporation (SC), for the collaborative establishment of a clean hydrogen supply chain.

According to a press release from SEDC Energy, the JDA was entered for the H2ornbill project as part of the Sarawak H2 Hub.

“The agreement was signed between ENEOS, Sumitomo Corporation, and SEDC Energy in Kuching on October 25, 2023, and the three parties are currently working on the finer details of Project H2ornbill,” read the press release.

It went on to say that during a recent visit to Tokyo for the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Forum, the three parties, along with Energy and Environmental Sustainability (Meesty) Sarawak Deputy Minister Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, paid a courtesy call to Japan Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Ken Saito, to share progress between the parties.

“The JDA between SEDC Energy, Sumitomo Corporation, and ENEOS outlines the collaborative establishment of a clean hydrogen supply chain, generating around 90,000 tons of clean hydrogen. This production is also inclusive of the 2,000 tons designated for local consumption in Sarawak.

“Sarawak’s hydropower energy is the reason behind for the two Japanese partners to play their part in the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub in Bintulu. The hydro-powered grid system in the State which eventually will produce cleaner hydrogen making it attractive for investors.

“Within the JDA, SEDC Energy’s role will involve in the spearheading of the technical aspects of hydrogen production, focusing on integrating and optimising the energy procurement process for the project.”

SEDC Energy further noted that the goal for the project is to begin production of clean hydrogen by 2030, and that all parties involved will be entering the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase soon.

“Bintulu is chosen as the hub’s location due to the existing petrochemical industrial complex, which has the advantage of being able to utilise existing facilities for the Methylcyclohexane (MCH) production that will be used to transport hydrogen to Japan.” — DayakDaily