Sarawak is taking a major leap forward in green hydrogen development by teaming up with Siemens Energy to drastically improve the efficiency of hydrogen production. The goal: reduce energy consumption from the current industry-leading 30 kilowatt-hours per kilogram (kWh/kg) to just 10 kWh/kg, reports Hydrogen Fuel News.
The ambitious plan was unveiled during the ASEAN Women Economic Summit in May 2025 and focuses on the use of advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology.
This is not Sarawak’s first major achievement in the field. In earlier collaborations with PETRONAS Research and a Japanese firm, the region had already cut hydrogen production energy use in half—from 60 kWh/kg to 30 kWh/kg. Now, the aim is to cut that number by another two-thirds. If successful, it could bring the cost of green hydrogen down to under $2 per kilogram.
Reaching this target would not only lower production costs—it could also make a serious dent in carbon emissions. Experts estimate that this improvement could help reduce carbon emissions in the ASEAN shipping industry by up to 15 million tonnes annually.
Sarawak’s strong hydropower infrastructure plays a key role in this push, providing a renewable and stable power source that positions the state as a potential green energy hub in Southeast Asia.
The initiative is part of a larger strategy that aligns with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap. It builds on Sarawak’s previous green milestones, including the launch of hydrogen-powered public transport in 2022 and the opening of Southeast Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production facility in Kuching in 2023.
Sarawak is not just setting goals—it’s hitting them. With major partnerships, proven progress, and a bold vision, the state is emerging as a frontrunner in the global movement toward clean, hydrogen-based energy.
