TWO hundred houses are expected to benefit from Brunei’s first photovoltaic solar power plant, the installation of which will be held next week (January 25). This is seen as a major step towards promoting the use of renewable energy in the country.
The plant is expected to generate some 1.33MWh of electricity per year and has been constructed at a cost of $25 million.
The project is one of the largest in Asean countries and is fully funded by the Mitsubishi Corporation, as highlighted to the Bulletin by its General Manager Osamu Ito.
Mitsubishi Corporation is one of the shareholders of Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd and has been involved in the natural gas business.
This year marks the 40th anniversary. Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd was founded in December 1969 and the delivery of gas started in 1973.
“From that time, we have been involved with the LNG business and have strong ties with the Brunei government.
“In order to enhance our contribution, we discussed a few new schemes with the Energy Division of the Prime Minister’s Office, and from the discussion we agreed to proceed with the photovoltaic project,” said Mr Osamu Ito.
“Environment issue is big nowadays and in order to promote renewable energy, we proposed to the Energy Division of the Prime Minister’s Office the photovoltaic project and the government appreciated our effort.
“In 2008, we signed an MoU with the Energy Division and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tenaga Suria Brunei (Brunei Solar Energy) project, which is located at the Seria Power Station, was held at the site in August 2009.
“As Brunei is blessed with long hours of daylight, solar energy has been identified as one of the most viable options among the various types of sustainable and renewable energy sources. Wind energy and bio-palm oil are not feasible as the wind is not strong and palm oil industry is not available here.
“The upcoming solar panel installation ceremony is a commemorative event. In total, six types of panels will be installed and expected to be completed July end or early August this year. The electricity
will be supplied to the public through the national grid,” he added.
“There will be a three-year experimental period during which data on which panel proves suitable for Brunei’s condition will be collected. The angle of the panel will be changed during the three-year period to find out which one is suitable for Brunei’s climate and to establish which photovoltaic panel is appropriate.
“In the years to come, the plant will be expanded to establish the most appropriate scheme for the photovoltaic technology,” he added.
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This is a great example of a company working together with a country to reduce our impact on the environment. Good for Mitsubishi.
We seek partnership and supplies most advanced BP Solar and Kyocera Solar panels in Brunei. All distributors, System Integrators, Project Managers, Energy Officers. I am Singaporean Chinese and “boleh faham bahasa Malayu”.