KUCHING: Sarawak is keen to partner with South Korea to explore the development of sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture technology.

       Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak was looking into developing sustainable aviation fuel, which could help decarbonise the aviation industry for sustainable air travel.

       He said the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) was collaborating with Airbus and Rolls Royce through the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre to undertake research and development on green hydrogen and fuel cells as future aviation fuel in Demak here.

       "This collaboration is a venture to develop biofuels for aviation, in which the aviation industry has net-zero carbon emission goals.

       "I believe there is tremendous opportunity between Sarawak and South Korea towards a future fuelled with sustainable aviation fuel that could unlock additional social, environmental and economic benefits, from creating jobs to restoring soil and watersheds to improving aircraft performance," he said at the Sarawak-Korea energy business forum here on Thursday (June 9).

       Abang Johari also said Sarawak looked forward to partnering with South Korea on research, development and commercialisation of improved production technologies and sustainable feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel.

       He said it was important to reduce the cost of sustainable aviation fuel for it to be accepted and used.

       In addition, Abang Johari welcomed South Korean companies to work with Sarawak to explore the potential in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).

       He said Sarawak recently passed the Land Code (Amendment) Bill, which would enable the state to develop CCUS as a mitigation tool towards a low-carbon economy.

       "The opportunity lies in the initial stage of capturing and separating carbon dioxide from processing and production of green ammonia and methanol or from combustion flue gases.

       "The carbon dioxide that is captured is then compressed into a liquid or supercritical fluid, ready for transportation.

       "I believe cooperation between South Korea and Sarawak will enable faster and more efficient deployment of CCUS for developing carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure," he said.

       Abang Johari later witnessed the contract signing for the Semadang microgrid project between Sarawak Energy Bhd and a South Korean consortium.

       Group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili signed for Sarawak Energy while the South Korean consortium was represented by Nuri Flex Co Ltd vice-president Kim Han Soo and KH Shinhwa SnC Co Ltd chief executive Min Jong Ki.