The Malaysian state of Sarawak is set to launch a microalgae production facility next February, the Borneo Post reported Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as saying.
The 5ha facility would mark the state government’s commitment to achieving greener and cleaner coal power generation, Abang Johari said.
“This facility will absorb the CO² waste stream from the Sejingkat Coal Power Station to grow algae in a carbon circular economy,” he was quoted as saying in the 1 December report when giving his closing remarks at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
The project is a collaboration between the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, SEB (Sarawak Energy), Chitose Laboratory and ENEOS (Corp).
“Advancements in research and modern technologies are now able to rapidly grow algae and extract its oil to be converted into biofuels for energy, while taking advantage of the other components in algae such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nutrients,” said Abang Johari, Minister for Finance and New Economy; Natural Resources and Urban Development; and Energy and Environmental Sustainability.
Most of the algae cultivation would be conducted by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Energy and Petronas Research, he added.
