ABANG JOHARI A NEW ECONOMY INFLUENCER, SAYS ITALY'S NEXTCHEM VP

KUCHING, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Sarawak’s leadership commitment in energy transition earned praises from an Italian senior corporate figure who lauded the state Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s unique vision in driving sustainable economic growth.

NextChem S.p.A senior vice-president of corporate and business strategy, Giovanni Sale said Abang Johari played an admirable role in advancing hydrogen production, a sector which he described as key to a sustainable future. 

“The Premier of Sarawak is an influencer of the new economy,” Sale said during a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between NextChem and Acacia Power Sdn Bhd, which was witnessed by Abang Johari here today.

The MoU marked the partnership between Acacia Power, a subsidiary of Permodalan Satok Bhd and NextChem aimed to transform Sarawak's abundant natural resources into a sustainable energy powerhouse.

Sale said NextChem is a company under Maire Group which had a network of industrial roots dating back to 1920 and had successfully produced green ammonia in northern Italy. 

He said its involvement in developing Sarawak’s energy drive came as a great honour as the state stands out in the global energy transition.

“I will be here with you not only to sign to cooperate with Acacia Power but also to transfer technology at this kind of know-how for the new generation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Acacia Power chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain said the company’s collaboration with NextChem would transform Sarawak’s energy landscape by leveraging on biomass-based renewable energy.

“The objective of Acacia Power is clear and ambitious: to serve as an independent power producer (IPP) and a power generation company that develops, acquires, owns and operates power generation facilities using renewable energy sources,” he said.

Under this partnership, he said their renewable energy project will focus on converting wood waste from Sarawak’s abundant forest resources into biomass energy, which would be both environmentally friendly and economically transformative. 

“Our renewable biomass energy project is a reflection of our commitment to sustainable innovation… leveraging Sarawak’s abundant forest resources responsibly,” he added.

-- BERNAMA