KUCHING: A consortium led by South Korea’s Samsung Engineering Co Ltd will undertake a green hydrogen and ammonia plant project in Bintulu, Sarawak.

       Other consortium partners in this green hydrogen/ammonia project are South Korean companies Posco International Corp, Lotte Chemical and SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd – a subsidiary of Sarawak State Economic Development Corp (SEDC).

       According to Samsung Engineering president and chief executive officer Sungan Choi, the plant project is expected to produce 7,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen for Sarawak’s local use, 600,000 tonnes per year of blue ammonia, 630,000 tonnes per year of green ammonia and 460,000 tonnes per year of green methanol.

       He said the project’s prefeasibility study had been completed and the feasibility study is expected to start this year.

       Samsung Engineering, Posco and Lotte Chemical will be taking an active role in developing the entire cycle of the project, which include direct investment, construction, transportation and utilisation, he said in a recent presentation entitled “Malaysia Sarawak H2biscus Green Hydrogen/Ammonia project” to the president and cabinet ministers of South Korea.

       Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg led a team on an online engagement session with the South Korean consortium to gain insights into the project and the benefits it offers to both Korea and Sarawak.

       Samsung Engineering, which is one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, construction and project management companies, is currently executing the RM3.74bil Sarawak Petchemical Methanol Plant project in Bintulu.

       “The company is channeling its efforts to be a ‘Beyond EPC Green Solution Provider’, providing green infrastructure and energy optimisation services through process analysis. By developing new hydrogen-related technologies and CCUS (carbon capture, usage and storage) technology, the company is aimed to transform the energy industry,” said Sungan Choi.

       The state-owned methanol plant, which is earlier targeted for completion this year, is expected to produce 5,000 tonnes per day of methanol and methanol derivatives. On the time-line for the implementation of the hydrogen/ammonia project, Choi said the contracts for front-end engineering design and engineering, procurement and construction are expected to be awarded in 2022.

       “It will serve as an exemplary project of international standing for renewable energy trading and hydrogen transportation between South Korea and Malaysia, establishing hydrogen-related standards for the two countries.” he said.

       Under the Sarawak government’s green energy initiatives, SEDC Energy plans to build six multi-fuel refueling stations in major towns to offer hydrogen refuelling and electric charging services. The first such station is now under construction in Kuching.

       Sarawak has also bought three hydrogen-powered buses from China as part of a pilot project to research into a green transport system.