Brunei looks to alternative energy sources

THE Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies has appointed a team of Canadian consultants to carry out a study on alternative energy sources for Brunei's future domestic demand and possibly for export.

The "Alternative Energy for Continuous Economic Growth" research project will begin middle of next month with a contract signing to be held soon, the think-tank's senior researcher told reporters yesterday. The study is expected to be completed in December this year.

"The main objective of the study is to find after oil and gas which is the best next alternative energy source for Brunei so that we can meet our (Brunei Vision 2035) goals," said Dr Diana Cheong at CSPS's office in Gadong.

In line with CSPS's new direction to ensure that all its research projects are driven to fulfill the Brunei Vision 2035 or Wawasan Brunei 2035, the alternative energy study is hoped to identify an energy source that will help put Brunei among the top 10 ranking economies in the world, in terms of GDP (gross domestic product) per capita. The study will incorporate a cost-benefit analysis, taking into account the aspects of sustainability, abundancy, commercial viability, efficiency and environmental impact, among others.

During a recent television interview, CSPS's Chairman Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hj Apong stressed the need to identify an alternative energy source that was safe, cheap and abundant.

"We do not know how long we can rely on oil and gas, either as a source of income or as source of energy. So we need to be prepared," he said.

"The objective is to enable us to continue to be able to fuel economic growth until 2035 and beyond. In fact, if possible, one day we may also become a leading exporter of the identified new energy," the chairman added.

The study will enlist close collaboration from the Energy Division at the Prime Minister's Office (EDPMO) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), whereby roundtable discussions have been held with the stakeholders who have expressed their support in the research project. EDPMO has pledged its readiness to assist in providing data, while UBD can work with the consultancy team on the research, Dr Cheong said.

She added the project consultants would be looking at about 10 energy sources including solar power, hydroelectricity, nuclear and biomass energy as well as oil rejuvenation technique known as carbon oil enhancement recovery.

The senior researcher said the results of the study could yield recommendations for Brunei to develop one of these energy sources or a combination of them. She said that the alternative energy source would be used for the fuel needs of the country for the next 50 years.

"At the end of the day, energy is not something you bring in. The country has to have it," she said.

Dr Cheong explained the study would avoid spending money on alternative energy projects which were not economically feasible.

"This study will tell us which (alternative) energy projects we should be investing in," she said.

To spur exploration of alternative energy, CSPS will also be organising a conference titled "Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency: Fuelling Economic Growth and Diversification for Brunei Darussalam" on June 14 and 15 at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

Some 200 delegates have been invited for the conference, including international and local experts, policymakers, professionals and researchers, as well as the inventor of the 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), Professor Komiyama, the president of the Mitsubishi Research Institute in Japan, she said.

Former CEO of British Columbia Hydro, Bob Elton, will also speak "on a holisitic and ecologically responsible energy policy" based on the experiences of businesses abroad.

The Brunei Times