Policy seen to turn Brunei into exporter of alternative energy

Solar energy, osmotic energy and geothermal energy "may have potential for viable development and use in Burnei" and eventually even make the Sultanate a "leading exporter" of alternative energy, the Minister of Energy yesterday said.

During a conference on alternative energy and energy efficiency solutions for Brunei, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar, who was the guest of honour at the event, said, "I am confident, that, with good energy policy and planning, we can be a leader in the production, export and even research and development of at least one of the alternative energy options and its technologies."

Asked if Brunei could eventually become a "go-to" country on alternative energy solutions for the region, Pehin Yasmin said it was "definitely possible" and he hoped to see this goal realised within the next year or two.

Pehin Yasmin also shared success stories of the commercial viability of alternative energy around the world, citing Brazil and China as having significant local market shares in the alternative energy sector.

He said Brunei was not only looking to a sustainable energy supply but one that could be "a source of profitability and growth" for national welfare and economy.

The necessity to turn to alternative energy was also a result of needing to build up strong energy surpluses that could support major economic growth, he said, noting that there was also a "need to intensify the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures so that (Brunei) could make better use of our existing energy resources".

He said "the development of fuel cell motors powered by hydrogen may have long-term potential for the transportation sector."

In an exclusive interview with The Brunei Times, Pehin Yasmin said that changes on energy policies would come in time, noting that the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) was already making a start on this with its feasibility study, funded by the Spanish government, on turning waste into energy through incineration.

"If everything goes well, this is what we want," he added. "You can just imagine the impact of Brunei ... especially in this region, just imagine the benefit that Brunei will (get) from all this."

He added that with the two studies on energy efficiency and alternative energy potentials, commissioned under the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies, Brunei could expect to see an increase in the awareness of energy savings and efficiency.

Increased educational awareness was also key, he said, citing various recent campaigns such as Energy Day.

In his speech, Pehin Yasmin also observed that there was new opportunity in the energy industry and expanded mandate for the Ministry of Energy, and he called on energy-related stakeholders to share a strong commitment for the sustainable development of Brunei.

"We need a whole government approach, indeed a whole nation approach to energy in which everyone can actively participate right down to turning off unnecessary lights."

He added, "We do have sufficient and in fact abundant energy supply perhaps into the longer term. However, we should try also to ensure that there is immediate energy surplus to fuel our economic goal of diversification, and to support our drive to attract external investment in the form of FDI (foreign direct investment) industries and MNCs (multinational corporations).

"Adequate energy supply is an essential pre-requisite for the establishment of such ventures. Furthermore, it is increasingly likely that alternative energy sources will form part of the answers to this requirement."

Pehin Yasmin said while Brunei "was quite comfortable with our current energy and development scenario, we are aware that we should also take precautionary measure to achieve longer term energy security and sustainability beyond 2035. In particular, in view of global uncertainty and price fluctuations in the oil and gas sector we should not be over reliant on these energy resources particularly as they are not limitless."

Dr Hiroshi Komiyama, chairman of the Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc and president emeritus of the University of Tokyo, suggested that biomass, wind, photovoltaic, hydro and geothermal, as five potential energy sources that would be viable in Brunei. He noted that the order of relevance and appropriateness differed from country to country, saying, "In Japan, photovoltaic is first (but) ... in Brunei, there is a lot of rainforest, and if properly cultivated, it can produce quite a bit of biomass energy."

Dr Hiroshi also added that by-product industries were a strong possibility, but noted that in the case of biomass energy, the design of the energy cultivation and harvesting processes were important.

"It has to be plant, harvest, plant, harvest. This type of plantation is imperative," he said, adding that a total system design would be a "key for success" in biomass energy cultivation.

Dr Gouri Bhuyan, principal advisor to the Alternative Energy division at Powertech Labs Inc, said there were definite opportunities for a number of energy source relevant to Brunei's environment. He cited using solar, offshore wind, and seawater cooling as alternative options.

The Brunei Times