TRANSFORMING ASEAN HYDROGEN FUTURE

In the Hydrogen Insights Report 2021, governments across the globe have pledged over USD 70 billion spending on more than 200 projects and have committed to over 30 roadmaps and policies. Global demand of hydrogen energy has seen a trajectory growth and is targeted to reach 530 million tonnes per annum by 2050. What does the future hold for the Southeast-Asia countries? And, what are the impacts of not having hydrogen strategy in their nation’s growth targets?

Hydrogen has a long shared history – powering the first internal combustion engines over 200 years ago to becoming an integral part of the modern oil-refining industry. Due to its versatility and environmental friendly nature, hydrogen is making a significant in-road into clean energy transition as a net-zero emissions fuel in transport, building and power generation sectors.

Advancements in carbon capture, usage and storage technologies, and the continued reduction in production costs together with decarbonize policies worldwide, has resulted in a major uptake in clean hydrogen feedstock in the mining and industrial sectors.

Supplying hydrogen to industrial users is now a major business around the world. Competition on supply is likely to stiffen with developments of passenger and heavy-duty fuel-cell vehicles, which is expected to hit 5 million by 2030. The aviation, rail and shipping industries are also gearing up to embrace hydrogen energy, as a zero-emission fuel of the future. Hydrogen applications in the iron and steel industry, power generation, off-grid and power-backup, and a blending agent for natural gas are equally gaining momentum.

The time is right for Southeast-Asia countries to tap into hydrogen’s potential to play a key role as an environmental friendly, safe and affordable energy to unlock new opportunities in power, transportation, mining and industrial sectors.

This summit is geared to increase greater understanding and know-how for policymakers when establishing frameworks and roadmaps; guiding industries to unlock opportunities, develop business plans and strategies; and for funding agencies and financial services industry to drive clean hydrogen projects through green financing instruments and funding mechanism.

THE KEY TAKEAWAYS OF THE SUMMIT:

 Hydrogen ASEAN Virtual Conference & Exhibitions 2022 (HA2022)

1. Sarawak Energy, Shell Mds Explore Hydrogen Economy
   KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd and Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on working together to assess potential opportunities in lower-cost hydrogen production technology via electrolysis. The MoU includes a joint...
2. Philippines' Ayala Corp. Pivots to Renewables With Vietnam Solar Investment
   AC Energy, a subsidiary of Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corp., has pledged to use technology to improve lives and ensure a sustainable future for all. It recently announced a deal in Vietnam to build out 80...
3. Sri Lanka Green Energy Project Gets 30 Million Euros French Loan
   Sri Lanka will get 30 million euros from France for a project to cut transmission losses at state utility Ceylon Electricity Board, and lower the island's dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation, the Ministry...
4. Biodiesel Demand, Heatwave Could Boost Planters Earnings
   Plantation companies are likely to record higher revenues in the fourth quarter this year as crude palm oil (CPO) prices are expected to recover from its three-year low in October. MIDF Amanah Investment Bhd senior research...
5. Ac Energy Inks Construction, Financing Deals to Expand Solar Farm in Vietnam
   AC ENERGY, Inc. and its Vietnamese partner have signed construction and financing deals to expand the capacity of their solar farm in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province to make it the biggest in Southeast Asia, its...
6. Transforming Chicken Droppings Into ‘gold’ Energy
   The dictum ‘garbage or waste is gold’ is being put into practice world over, but unfortunately in Sri Lanka there appears to be an enormous hick-up in transforming or recycling garbage into energy and fertiliser. The...
7. Vietnamese Woman’s Journey From Thermal Plant Admirer to Environment Prize Winner
   She has led the country’s fight against coal and convinced the government to increase the share of renewable energy. Nguy Thi Khanh has known thermal power since she was a little girl. Khanh, 42, grew up in...
8. Asean's Active Role in the Greening of Growth
   SUSTAINABILITY issues are still often seen as long-term concerns, rather than requiring urgent attention, despite the Paris agreement to take action to address climate change. Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), there have...
9. Nepal Launches Tender for Large-scale Solar
   Nepal’ state-owned power utility, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has issued a Request for Proposals to select independent power producers for the construction of several solar PV power plants across the country. Selected projects will be granted...
10. The Company Lighting Up Rural Myanmar With Affordable Solar Technology
    Since launching its pilot programme in 2016, SolarHome has helped Myanmar find alternative energy options by providing unprecedented electricity access to under served households. Ted Martynov, the company’s CEO, broke down SolarHome’s business and the...