Hydrogen refuel station to drive clean energy R & D

The Star

09-05-2025

Fuel of the future: Chang (second from right) and Rezal Khairi (fourth from right) attending the launch of the MHRS in Putrajaya. — ART CHEN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has taken significant steps towards a clean energy future by introducing the Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station (MHRS) development project to drive innovation in the hydrogen-based mobility sector, it was revealed.
The RM15mil pilot project, located at Precinct 2 here, is capable of supplying 50kg of hydrogen daily through the small-scale station.
Science, Technology and Inno­vation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the MHRS not only boosted R&D in hydrogen and fuel cell technology, it also supported the national target of achieving zero carbon emission by 2050.
'There are no hydrogen-­powered vehicles in Malaysia, but we have hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) suppliers.
'Basic infrastructure for FCEV refuelling should be created to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel in the transportation and mobility sector,' he told a press conference after launching the MHRS here yesterday, Bernama reported.
The project is supported by the Science, Technology and Inno­vation Ministry (Mosti) through the National Nano­technology Centre (NNC) and NanoMalaysia Bhd (NMB), in collaboration with PETRONAS Technology Ventures Sdn Bhd (PTVSB), Sime UMW, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corp (MGTC).
NMB, as the asset administrator representing Mosti, will operate the MHRS station and test site for new technologies to explore long-term commercial opportunities.
PTVSB supplies hydrogen and oversees the station's enginee­ring, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) while Sime UMW and UMWT will provide three Toyota Mirai hydrogen-powered vehicles and offer essential operational and maintenance services.
Chang said the MHRS will play the role of educating the public on the current status of hydrogen technology and demonstrating that hydrogen can now be used as a fuel for vehicles.
'But we need to create the ecosystem first, as we are starting from scratch. We don't have the users and the supply but we are targeting that by 2030, there will be FCEVs on Malaysian roads,' he said.
NMB chief executive officer Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad said the MHRS would be a catalyst for clean energy infrastructure and pave the way for investments and innovation as well as strengthen Malaysia's position as a regional hub for hydrogen technology.
'Under the leadership of Mosti, NMB will continue to leverage the full potential of the MHRS in close collaboration with local autho­rities, stakeholders and industry players to make Putrajaya the starting point for the country's hydrogen-powered mobility transformation,' he said.