KUALA LUMPUR: Five strategic core areas have been outlined by the government to develop a robust and competitive hydrogen ecosystem, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that these areas would boost the development of Malaysia as a global hydrogen economy leader by 2050.

He said the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR) supported the Low Carbon Aspirations 2040 under the National Energy Policy 2022-2040.

"The HETR will place Malaysia in a very advantageous global position as the worldwide market for green hydrogen is projected to reach US$189.19 billion in 2050.

"Of this projected amount, as much as US$81.12 billion (43 per cent) of the market value is in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Asean at US$25.81 billion (13 per cent) and Malaysia at US$3.1 billion (two per cent).

"The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has implemented initiatives and projects related to hydrogen technology, covering the generation and mobility of hydrogen through collaboration between agencies such as NanoMalaysia and other local industries for hydrogen recharging projects for mobility," Anwar said in a statement read by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang after the National Science Council meeting.

The prime minister said this was the first initiative of its kind in the peninsula.

He said through the implementation of the HETR, Malaysia was projected to reduce between 0.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

He said Malaysia also expected to generate up to RM12.1 billion with a contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of between RM49 billion and RM61 billion in 2030, with the addition of job opportunities of up to 45,000.

"Countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and some in the Asean region have begun to venture into the hydrogen sector and explore the use of hydrogen in the mobility sector, industry and other energy-intensive sectors, in line with energy transition targets, decarbonisation needs and in line with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

"A comprehensive ecosystem needs to be created to accelerate the industries and through the active involvement of the private sector and academics.

"In Malaysia, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Sarawak Energy Berhad have collaborated in the commercial production of green hydrogen and are exploring its value supply chain in Asia. These include strengthening research capabilities, increasing knowledge in technology as well as hydrogen-related development," he said.

Anwar also said the National Science Council noted the importance of the Malaysian Space Board Act (Act 834) and the establishment of the Space Authority Division.

"These are vital towards achieving the target of making Malaysia among the top three countries in space technology research and development in Southeast Asia, as well as achieving 50 per cent independence in space technology," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/917534/five-core-areas-develop-competitive-hydrogen-ecosystem