H2EF 2025: Clear policies, global ties key to realising S'wak's green hydrogen vision, say experts

Borneo Post

14-05-2025

Garcia (right) gestures as he delivers a point during the dialogue session at H2EF 2025, accompanied by Simonsen (left) and Harrison.
KUCHING (May 14): Certainty, energy efficiency and international collaboration are key to accelerating Sarawak's green hydrogen ambitions, panellists said during the 'Policy & Regulation: What Needs to be Done?' session during the Hydrogen Economy Forum (H2EF) 2025 at the Hilton Hotel here today.
The dialogue, moderated by Norwegian Embassy in Singapore Science and Technology counsellor Bjørn Simonsen, featured insights from Baker Botts LLP partner Michael Harrison and Juan Guia Garcia, Embassy of Spain in Malaysia Economic and Commercial counsellor, who shared lessons from their respective countries on advancing a hydrogen economy.
'The critical thing in relation to any new industry is certainty, and if Sarawak is going to develop a meaningful, green-hearted solution, it has to be thought about from Sarawak's perspective and a broader Malaysian perspective concerning international debt and contribution,' Harrison said.
He said green hydrogen should not be treated as an end in itself, but as a tool to reduce emissions, support sustainable development, and generate higher-paying jobs.
Among practical policy directions, Harrison emphasised starting with energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy.
He encouraged Sarawak to begin with 'low-hanging fruit' by improving energy efficiency and pursuing electrification, especially given the state's abundant power capacity.
'From there, policy frameworks should identify viable local hydrogen applications before expanding to exports. You need to map that and work it out… you've got to provide for a transition,' he said.
He added that existing grey hydrogen facilities could not be shut down abruptly.
'Run auctions on time, don't keep changing dates, and fund domestic demand alongside production,' he advised.
Garcia echoed the need for international alignment and said that international demand and cooperation were critical for Sarawak to scale green hydrogen projects and attract investment.
'That can be really done to make the projects here viable and really the investments to be approved,' he added.
When asked whether nuclear energy could complement global hydrogen strategies, both panellists acknowledged its role.
'All the technologies are there to contribute. Climate change is so strong, and it's going to be there for a long time. We need to go out and we shouldn't say no—every solution will have its place,' Garcia said.
He noted, however, that nuclear adoption remains politically sensitive.
'It's not only a technical decision, but I think there's a space for nuclear (energy),' he added.