Unlocking a Sustainable Future in Malaysia Through Hydrogen Clean Energy

With the release of Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the country pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050 through the implementation of clean, sustainable, and renewable energy (RE). Hydrogen was identified as one of the six energy transition levers that will spearhead Malaysia's efforts to become a net-zero nation by 2050.

The government also launched the much-anticipated Hydrogen Economy & Technology Roadmap (HETR) at the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2023 by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof in support of the NETR.

Despite Malaysia being a country that has traditionally relied on power generation through natural gas, coal and hydropower. Hydrogen clean energy is increasingly gaining attention as a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional energy sources.

One of the primary benefits of hydrogen clean energy is its versatility. It can be used in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation. Because hydrogen has a high energy density as a fuel, it is a desirable substitute for fossil fuels. Green hydrogen, which is generated through electrolysis using renewable energy, reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell to produce electricity and water vapor, making it a truly clean energy source at the point of use.

In the transportation sector, hydrogen fuel cells are gaining traction as a viable option for zero-emission vehicles. While Europe and South Korea are actively researching this technology, Japan and the US have emerged as early adopters of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity, powering the vehicle while emitting only water vapor. This technology offers the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Another benefit of hydrogen clean energy lies in its storage capabilities. While some energy loss occurs during the conversion and storage process, hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time compared to other renewable energy sources. This makes it an ideal solution for addressing the intermittency issue often associated with solar and wind power. By converting excess renewable energy into hydrogen, we can store it and convert it back into electricity when needed, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.

Sarawak is playing a leading role in Malaysia's exploration of hydrogen as a clean energy source. Two major hydrogen manufacturing projects are underway in the state, with plans to begin operations in 2027. Furthermore, the city of Kuching is putting a cutting-edge smart tram system powered by hydrogen through testing.

“At Sarawak Metro we’re also giving our full commitment in the development of a hydrogen economy and helping to ensure the success of Sarawak’s Green Hydrogen Agenda”, stated Sarawak Metro in their Commitment to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.

In addition, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) built Southeast Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production plant and refueling station in 2019 for research purpose, aiming to demonstrate the technology’s local potential.

While widespread hydrogen adoption holds significant potential, it calls for the development of a robust hydrogen ecosystem. It requires collaborative effort across stakeholders and significant investment to create a comprehensive network for hydrogen distribution, paving the way for a clean energy future.

Swagelok has more than 70 years of experience in the containment and management of hazardous fluids and small-molecule gases under pressure. With the strong global network, this enables us at Swagelok Malaysia to empower clean energy solutions like Hydrogen with the expertise and high-integrity components needed to effectively achieve sustainability as well as business goals.

We support the evolution of hydrogen as a clean energy source and enable low- to zero-emission vehicles to run on hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and compressed natural gas (CNG) by providing engineering support to help overcome unique fluid system challenges. From the lab to the field, we are committed to provide solutions for clean energy production, distribution, compression, refueling, and mobility applications with a wide range of fluid system products designed for strong performance in various segments of the Hydrogen clean energy industry.

For more information, visit malaysia.swagelok.solutions/industries/clean-energy.