PETALING JAYA: Asahi Kasei, Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s clean energy arm Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), and JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC) have completed a feasibility study for production of up to 8,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen using a 60MW-class alkaline water electrolyser system.
The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the project.
The project is supported by the Green Innovation Fund for Large-scale Alkaline Water Electrolysis System Development and Green Chemical Plant Project by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.
Pursuant to the MoU, the parties are preparing for the FEED study to begin in January 2024. The operation is planned for startup in 2027.
This collaboration involving Asahi Kasei, Gentari and JGC will advance the deployment of a 60MW-class water electrolyser paired with an integrated control system to produce green hydrogen. This commercial-scale project demonstrates the companies' commitment to fostering markets for green hydrogen and establishing a foundation for regional green hydrogen production, aligning with the broader mission of decarbonisation in Japan, Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.
“We are pleased to collaborate with these two companies on a project that will demonstrate to the world the practical application of green hydrogen. Asahi Kasei's experience from demonstration experiments in Germany and managing a 10MW electrolyser in Japan for over three years will play a pivotal role in this project's success,“ said Asahi Kasei lead executive officer Nobuko Uetake, who is also the senior general manager of its green solution project.
Gentari chief hydrogen officer Michèle Azalbert said the strategic collaboration between Gentari, Asahi Kasei and JGC, amplifies value for all involved and the project stands as a catalyst for advancing Malaysia’s hydrogen economy towards achieving its green hydrogen target of 200,000 tonnes per year by 2030, aligning with the National Energy Transition Roadmap and Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap. Beyond this, Gentari is developing hydrogen projects with national and state entities to position Malaysia as the region’s leading hydrogen hub, leveraging Petronas’ assets and the country’s strategic advantages.
Masahiro Aika, senior executive officer, technology commercialisation officer and general manager, sustainability co-creation unit of JGC said JGC Group is constructing a demonstration facility of clean ammonia production adjacent to Asahi Kasei’s electrolyser at Namie-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, together with an integrated control system.
“We look forward to applying the lessons learnt from the demonstration and to utilising its technical outcomes toward the execution of this project in Malaysia,” he added.
