Sarawak’s ART Project Could Be A Model For Tackling Energy Crisis

By Ammar Shafiq Hamzah

KUCHING, April 16 (Bernama) -- The implementation of hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles in Sarawak is seen as a strategic move to address the increasingly challenging global energy crisis.

Academician Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, said the project, currently under construction in Kuching, explores alternative energy to reduce dependency on conventional fossil fuels.

Although the project had previously faced criticism, he said the current global energy crisis had underscored the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources.

"This ART project is a proactive move to tackle the increasingly worsening global energy challenges, and it also demonstrates forward-looking leadership.

"Dependency on just one type of energy is risky, especially when faced with a crisis situation and increasing demand,” he told Bernama

The ART is a main component of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), aimed at developing the best public transport system and easing traffic congestion in the city.

Phase 1 of the KUTS project comprises the ART system, spanning 69.9 kilometres (km) and involving three routes and 28 stations.

Jayum said the implementation of the ART project not only impacts the public transportation sector but also has a huge potential to spur the state's economic growth.

"This project surely has a significant economic impact and can produce energy experts from among the people of Sarawak in the field of hydrogen.

"If Sarawak succeeds in the development of the ART project using this new energy, I'm confident it can become a reference and model for states or regional countries,” he said.

Yesterday, Sarawak Metro, which is implementing the KUTS project, said the first two units of the ART vehicles have completed the required tests in China and are now ready for delivery to Kuching.

These first two units of ART vehicles, referred to as the ‘golden trains’, are expected to arrive in Kuching within the second quarter of this year, and the pilot operations are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

The world is currently facing a global energy crisis following the conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted supply chains and undermined stability in the international oil and gas market.

-- BERNAMA