14-05-2025
H2EF 2025 wraps up with strong global momentum for Sarawak's hydrogen leadership
(Front row, from left) Mona, Nadzeem, Dr Hazland, Gracie, Ghandhi, together with the delegates who participated in the two-day H2EF 2025. – Photo by Aileen Yap
KUCHING (May 14): The Hydrogen Economy Forum (H2EF) 2025 ended today, marking a significant milestone in Sarawak's ambitions of becoming a global hydrogen economy leader.
The two-day event saw participation of 542 delegates from 20 countries, comprising top energy leaders, policymakers, financiers, academics and technology innovators.
H2EF 2025 organising chairman Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response and active participation that shaped the forum into a vibrant platform for global collaboration and knowledge exchange.
'Over the past two days, the H2EF 2025 has shed light on the rising momentum of hydrogen as a key pillar in global decarbonisation.
'We have seen encouraging signs that the hydrogen economy is transitioning from ambition to action with over seven million tons of projects currently under construction and two million tons operational, as well as the growing interest in derivatives such as ammonia, gas, methanol, as presented by Wood Mackenzie on Tuesday,' he said in his closing remarks.
Dr Hazland delivers his closing remarks. – Photo by Aileen Yap
The forum featured five plenary sessions, six forums, two workshops, and two international dialogues, covering a wide array of topics from hydrogen production technologies and transport logistics to market standards, policy frameworks, and financing models.
International perspectives from countries such as Australia, Germany, Japan, Norway, and Spain enriched discussions on aligning policy and investment strategies to unlock global hydrogen markets.
Moreover, technological innovation also took centre stage, with Siemens introducing its Digital Hydrogen Plant concept, which enables real-time simulation and optimisation of hydrogen production operations, potentially reducing the Levelised Cost of Hydrogen by up to 12 per cent.
Carbon Energy also showcased its proprietary Zirmbrane membrane technology, enhancing efficiency and durability in hydrogen systems.
The forum further underscored the strategic role of the Asia Pacific region in shaping the future of the hydrogen economy, with the region expected to account for over 40 per cent of global hydrogen supply and 50 per cent of demand by 2050.
'Sarawak has been rightly positioned as the 'battery of Asean,' as noted by one of our speakers, developing a collaborative public-private model and aiming to not only export hydrogen but also to build domestic demand and downstream industries.
'The concept of complementary power generation, solar and hydropower was also discussed, which could ease the power supply challenge for energy projects by utilising existing grid infrastructure,' Dr Hazland said.
He emphasised the importance of continued public-private partnerships, strategic financing, and robust energy infrastructure to ensure a fair and sustainable hydrogen transition.
He also extended an invitation to all participants to the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen (APGH) Conference and Exhibition 2026, scheduled for June 9 to 11 next year at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, where Sarawak will continue to champion the green hydrogen agenda on a regional and global scale.
Also present were Borneo Business Connect Sdn Bhd (BBC) directors Gracie Geikie and Datuk Dr M Gandhi, BBC executive director Nadzeem Abdul Rahman, and BBC chief executive officer Mona Abdul Manap. Dr Hazland Abang Hipni green energy h2ef hydrogen economy lead
