Abang Johari operates a backhoe loader to symbolically officiate the ceremony.

BINTULU (Jan 14): Sarawak is making significant strides towards becoming a leader in green energy transition in the region, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He stated this when speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony today for the Sarawak Petchem Green Methanol project in Tanjung Kidurong, which he hailed as another significant milestone.

“Congratulations Sarawak Petchem for having another project that will be a model to the world, showing that we are active participants in the green energy transition. Who would have thought Sarawak could do it?

“We are giving it a try and we will start producing green methanol,” he said.

Abang Johari believed that Sarawak’s future is bright as the region has technocrats and engineers who have the expertise and skills to add value to the resources in the region.

He said that there is now technology being developed to produce synthetic gas, which entails a new process that involves hydrogen and carbon.

“If this is developed with the technologies that experts design, this will become fuel for energy generation.

“This energy can be used to generate power through a machine or a power plant with a new balanced way of generating energy,” he added.

Abang Johari also said there will be a shift in energy transition from the current processes, such as fossil fuels, to low-carbon fuel or 100 per cent green fuel.

He thus encouraged the Sarawakian youths to learn and understand this new technology as Sarawak’s future is very bright in the energy transition.

“I am grateful to have met the Prime Minister of Japan, as well as to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anuar Ibrahim who brought me along. Finally, we have established a collaboration between Japan and Malaysia in trying to produce green and low-carbon energy, with Sarawak as the leader in Malaysia,” he said.

Abang Johari added that Japan opted for green energy to power their ships, including methanol or ammonia – particularly, green ammonia.

“We know that green ammonia, combined with captured carbon, can be used effectively.

“In the past, people didn’t believe we could capture carbon, but it is now possible to capture and use it.

“To put it in layman’s terms, it is mixed with hydrogen that is produced from renewable energy. We have solar or hydro energy, which can be combined to produce green methanol,” he said.

Earlier, the Premier witnessed the sail away of 10,000 metric tonnes of methanol cargo from the Sarawak Methanol Complex, with another ship on its way to transport another 10,000 metric tonnes.

Abang Johari recalled that four years ago, the journey began with discussions between leaders like Sarawak Petchem chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Aziz and his team.

He said despite uncertainties and high risks, the decision was made to take a chance and leverage the skills and technology of Sarawakians.

“The risk was high, especially in securing funds, as we had no track record and suddenly wanted to produce methanol.

“However, with perseverance and a sense of unity, we secured the funding and the allocated feedstock gas for Sarawak to use as raw material to develop this methanol,” he said.

He extended special thanks to vendors like Samsung, who played a crucial role in building the unique plant, which reduced costs and ensured high quality.

Additionally, Abang Johari said the construction of a jetty at sea for methanol loading to arriving ships highlighted the innovation and forward-thinking approach of the team.

“On the first day of my ninth year of service, I witnessed methanol being produced from Tanjung Kidurong.”

Also present at the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamd Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Sarawak Petchem chairman Tan Sri Abdu Aziz Husain.