Australia-based H2X Global (H2X), Thales New Energy and SEDC Energy, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a joint venture (JV) to develop Samalaju Hydrogen Production Plant in Malaysia. The 1.3 GW hydrogen plant is a proposed project with capacity to produce approximately 170,000 tonnes of liquid hydrogen annually or 970,000 tonnes of ammonia annually for export.
The facility will generate green hydrogen using electrolysis powered by hydroelectricity and will be constructed in the newly constructed Samalaju Industrial Park and Port. Pre-feasibility studies on the project has been conducted by Thales New Energy. The three companies will collaborate to rapidly progress the feasibility and engineering for the Samalaju Hydrogen Production Plant and expects the project to obtain the necessary development approvals by 2022. Construction on the facility will then progress in stages, with the first shipments expected in 2024/25. The firms will also seek to develop local electrolyser build capabilities in Sarawak.
Sarawak, the state where the plant will be constructed, houses the majority of Malaysia’s hydro assets, which is currently the country’s principal renewable energy (RE) source, while the country works to increase its solar assets through a large-scale government-run tender programme.