Biodiesel and other fuels better for peninsula, says expert
22/06/2024 (Free Malaysia Today), Petaling Jaya - Other fuel alternatives such as biodiesel are a better option for Peninsular Malaysia rather than resorting to hydrogen as in Sarawak, says an energy expert.
“Unlike Sarawak, there are not enough hydro-electric dams in the Peninsula to generate surplus energy that can be diverted to power hydrogen production at an affordable price,” P Ganesha told FMT.
Ganesha, a senior research associate at the Asia School of Business, said Peninsular Malaysia is not yet in a position to support large-scale production of hydrogen that will make its adoption as a fuel feasible.
Ganesha said environmental sustainability efforts could also be undermined if energy production is boosted just for hydrogen production, given that Malaysia currently relies heavily on coal for electricity generation.
If Sarawak has excess hydrogen that they are willing to give us, then it’s a different ball game altogether,” he said.
For now, he said, other derivatives such as biodiesel remain the better option for the peninsula.
Last week, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg proposed that the federal government seek out affordable and sustainable energy alternatives, such as hydrogen, to replace diesel as the primary fuel nationwide.
He said such alternatives could eliminate the need for government-funded diesel subsidies.
Ganesha said making a full transition to hydrogen also takes time given that most vehicles are now petrol or diesel-driven.
“You need to change the whole infrastructure to ensure that the engines (of all vehicles) are compatible (with hydrogen as a fuel),” he said.
Meanwhile, economist Geoffrey Williams agrees that making the transition away from diesel will reduce the need for subsidies but cautioned that it will take “a great deal of time”.
“Alternatives, such as electric vehicles or hydrogen are just not available and will not be available any time soon,” he told FMT.