‘Rich renewable resources, strategic location put Sarawak at high advantage'
Mats de Ronde
KUCHING (May 6): Sarawak's abundant renewable resources and strategic location position it strongly to become a regional leader in the hydrogen economy, according to global energy expert Mats de Ronde.
De Ronde, who is energy markets and strategy lead at global risk management firm DNV, also said the state has the capacity to meet its own energy needs, while exploring options such as clean hydrogen production and renewable energy exports.
His comments come ahead of his scheduled appearance at the Hydrogen Economy Forum (H2EF) 2025, to be taking place held at Hilton Kuching from May 13 to 14.
He stressed that while hydrogen holds significant promise in the global push for decarbonisation, unlocking its full potential will require coordinated progress across technology development, financing, and supportive policy frameworks.
'It's easy to get caught up in the hype, but we must be pragmatic as hydrogen is not the only path to decarbonisation. Planning the necessary infrastructure now, while keeping an eye on short-term opportunities, is essential.
'We're now looking at hydrogen for power generation, transport, and as a globally traded commodity. The entrance of Chinese manufacturers has increased competition, which is driving rapid technological improvements and lowering costs.
'But scaling up the market is still a major hurdle.
'Countries with strong renewable energy resources, such as China and those in Europe, are leading the way, but government involvement is crucial as they need to act as facilitators by reducing market barriers and supporting the development of shared infrastructure,' he said in a statement yesterday.
As the hydrogen market evolved, he said new business models should emerge, with a potential shift from traditional point-to-point trade to more dynamic spot markets.
For companies eyeing the hydrogen sector, de Ronde advised a balanced approach – one accounting for technical and regulatory risks, and prioritising markets with supportive policies and credible demand.
H2EF 2025 is hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESty), and jointly organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (Mosti) and Borneo Business Connect, with support from Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
The forum aims to advance Southeast Asia's hydrogen economy in line with Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
More information and registration details are available via hydrogenapac.com/h2ef. hydrogen economy Hydrogen Economy Forum 2025 Mats de Ronde
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