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THE shift to renewable energy is no longer just about technology or funding but about collaboration as nations race to meet climate goals, said Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDC) Chief Executive Officer Robert Hardin.

“Knowledge sharing, regulatory alignment and consistent community engagement are essential non-monetary contributions,” he said at the recent Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025’s Panel Session 4, which centred on the topic titled Collaboration and Partnership: Building a Sustainable Renewable Energy Future. 

Panel moderator, MARC Solutions Sustainability Head Leslie Jong Vui Min opened the discussion by asking panellists about the most important non-monetary contributions that effective collaboration between different stakeholders can bring to Sabah’s renewable energy transition.

“Government agencies like us provide the enabling environment through supportive policies and frameworks and the private sector brings innovation, technical expertise, while the communities offer on-the-ground insights that ensure long-term project acceptance and sustainability,” Robert said.

“We need clear policy direction, consistent stakeholder communication and a shared long-term goal,” he said, pointing out three key elements for successful partnerships.

He cited SEDC’s collaboration with international partners and the Federal Government as effective models that balance development with local interests.

Robert also provided insights from Sarawak’s renewable energy projects that could be applied to Sabah.

He pointed out SEDC Energy’s partnerships with global industry leaders to develop major hydrogen projects in Sarawak, specifically the hydrogen hub in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu.

“This includes collaborations with Sumitomo Corporation and Eneos for the H2ornbill Project and with Samsung E&A, Lotte Chemical and Korea National Oil Corporation for the H2biscus Project.

“Both these projects focus on producing clean hydrogen and then converting that into MCH and methanol for export to Japan and Korea,” he said.

He said Sarawak is leveraging its renewable energy resources as a competitive advantage and suggested that Sabah apply similar strategies.

“The key takeaway that could be applied here within Sabah should include the importance of early alignment between the government’s vision and the private sector’s capabilities.

“More importantly, it is to strategically leverage your local resources as a value proposition for the global market.

“The key to the success of the rollout of this project is collaboration. We all need to collaborate to ensure that we can be successful in all our next little plans and targets,” he said.