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Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
H2EF 2025 to explore realities, opportunities in hydrogen economy
Mats de Ronde KUCHING (May 7): As the Hydrogen Economy Forum (H2EF) 2025 approaches, anticipation is mounting for key insights from global leaders shaping the future of clean energy. One of the headline speakers is energy markets and strategy lead at DNV, Mats de Ronde, who will unpack the realities and opportunities within the hydrogen economy at H2EF 2025, taking place at Hilton Hotel Kuching this May 13 and 14. In an interview, Mats highlighted the importance of hydrogen in the global energy transition while cautioning against unrealistic expectations. 'The future of energy is clean, which is not just beneficial for the environment but also provides new opportunities. 'Sarawak is well-positioned to become a key player in the regional energy transition due to its high-quality renewables, which it can use to serve its own needs as well as export via subsea cables or produce clean hydrogen,' he said. Mats advised both industry players and policymakers to remain grounded, saying: 'Hydrogen will play an essential role in the energy transition, but is not necessarily the only pathway to decarbonisation.' The H2EF 2025 logo. 'It's easy to get caught up in the hype, but setting unrealistic expectations tends to lead to disappointment. It is, therefore, important to be realistic about where hydrogen will really play a role, and plan accordingly,' he added. Moreover, he emphasised that while the public and private sector collaboration remains essential, governments prefer to take the role of facilitator. 'This means that their primary objective is to reduce barriers, for example, by providing necessary preconditions such as the development of shared infrastructure,' he said. Mats also noted that while hydrogen has long been used across sectors, its role is evolving rapidly. 'Not only are we moving towards new use cases in power generation and transport, but hydrogen will also become a globally traded commodity. 'There is still a lot that is uncertain about how it is best transported, with a lot of innovation and improvement still possible in areas like liquid hydrogen, LOHCs and even metal hydrides,' he said. He added that while hydrogen-related technologies are not new, their rapid evolution is notable. 'It is interesting to see how much advancement has been made in only a few years to help improve performance and reduce costs, especially the influx of Chinese manufacturers into the market has created a lot more competition.' At H2EF, Mats will delve into different sectors that are required to unlock hydrogen's potential. 'There are a lot of opportunities in hydrogen, but unlocking these will require all the pieces of the puzzle to come together across, for example, technology, financing, and policy,' he said. The forum is organised by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESty), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (Mosti), and Borneo Business Connect, with the support of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). It serves as a regional platform to accelerate hydrogen adoption n Southeast Asia, in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). To register or know more, go to
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
‘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 hydrogen economy Hydrogen Economy Forum 2025 Mats de Ronde
