Kota Kinabalu: Sabah can leap ahead by embracing technology and innovation to produce microalgae, said Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
“Microalgae can be used to develop the biomass industry and produce sustainable energy, which aligns with Sabah’s green agenda,” said Phoong.
“We’ve been informed that under this initiative, we can develop biofuel, bioplastic, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“All these have strong creative economic potential for Sabah,” said Phoong after witnessing a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP) Sdn Bhd and CCE Power Holdings Sdn Bhd at a hotel.
SAIP was represented by Chairman of University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and Board of Director Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari, while Chief Executive Officer and Founder Tham Weng Kong signed for CCE Power, which is based in Negeri Sembilan with partnering companies from Japan.
Phoong said SAIP, which was established 17 years ago, must focus on applying innovation and technology to further propel Sabah’s industrialisation.
Although Sarawak is developing its algae cultivation industry, they are using a photosynthesis-type system compared to the system to be used by Sabah, which will use the heterotrophic system, he said.
“Sabah will be using the heterotrophic technology which doesn’t need sunlight to grow these microalgae,” he said.
“I see this as a very good opportunity for Sabah to get involved in developing new high-value manufacturing activities in Sabah.
“So that our young people can get high-skilled jobs and benefit from technology transfer.
“Imagine if we succeed in building a microalgae manufacturing hub in Sabah, many job opportunities will be created,” he said.
Tham said the heterotrophic technology is a closed system with a shorter cycle, as only five to seven days are needed to harvest, with a yield volume of 60 per cent.
“We will start with 100 hectares first, just like Sarawak did, before expanding to 1,000 hectares. They did it with their Japanese partners.
“Although our development mechanism differs, the goal is the same. If successful, we can scale up to commercial levels.”
The algae cultivation initiative to be carried out by CCE Power is the first private project in SAIP, Kimanis.
