BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — Brunei will build three new solar power plants within the next five years as part of its transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, the energy minister said at the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Sunday.
Announcing the energy ministry’s proposed 2021/22 budget of $199.34 million, YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mat Suny Hj Md Hussein said three new sites have been identified to develop solar farms — Tutong’s Bukit Panggal, Temburong’s Belingus and Kampung Sungai Akar in Brunei-Muara.
The Kg Sungai Akar solar farm — located at the former Kg Sungai Akar landfill — is expected to be the largest thus far, generating 30 MW of solar energy.
Brunei has set a target of generating 100 MW of solar energy by 2025 as part of the government''s initiative to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent over the next 10 years.
With the vast majority of the country''s electricity generated by gas-powered plants, Brunei has one of the highest annual carbon footprint per person in the region.
"Exploration of cleaner alternative sources is important to support the country in addressing climate change to ensure environmental sustainability,” he said.
The minister added that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for energy transition and the energy sector to be resilient after the sharp decline in oil prices.
The energy ministry is expected to increase its spending by 18 percent in the upcoming fiscal year, prioritising local content spending and employment of Bruneians.
The minister said the next fiscal year will be critical in the expansion of Hengyi Industries’ petrochemical plant, which has been the major driver of Brunei’s economic growth last year.
Hengyi is the largest foreign direct investment project in Brunei, exporting 9.46 million metric tonnes of petrochemical products worth US$4.08 billion since its oil refinery started operations in November 2019.
Hengyi’s Phase 2 project at Pulau Muara Besar will be significantly larger than the first phase, which saw the Chinese firm invest US$3.45 billion for the construction of an oil refinery and aromatics plant.
YB Dato Dr Hj Mat Suny said another two new projects are being planned in the downstream sector — a sodium methylate manufacturing project and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling plant.
Sodium methylate is a chemical compound used in the production of pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, while an LPG bottling plant involves the storage of liquified petroleum gas into bottles and is regarded as the safest and cheapest way of transporting the product.
The $1.8 billion Brunei Fertilizer Industries plant is another large-scale project in the downstream sector that will start operations in the third quarter of this year.
In the 2021/2022 fiscal year, the ministry will strengthen the production of the country’s main export product — liquefied natural gas (LNG) — to meet regional demand.
YB Dato Dr Hj Mat Suny said the global economic recovery is expected to increase the demand for natural gas in several regions, including Southeast Asia and Europe.
The hydrocarbon sector reported negative growth in all four quarters of last year, with revenue plunging 69.9 percent as oil and gas output declined due to the pandemic.
"The ministry will work closely with key operators including BSP, Total, Petronas and Shell Exploration and Production Brunei to resume projects that were disrupted due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“This includes the drilling of several wells that will further ensure the oil and gas volume can meet the country’s economic needs," the minister continued.
The Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam, which was established last year, is responsible for regulating all projects in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors.
About Brunei solar energy storage
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Brunei solar energy storage have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Brunei solar energy storage for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Brunei solar energy storage featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
