Azlan Othman
The Department of Electrical Services (DES) has played a very important role in generating the progress of Brunei Darussalam, and provides a continuous supply of electricity to homes from urban areas to Mukims and rural villages to maintain the well-being and socio-economy of the people and residents in the country. DES has achieved an electrification rate of over 99 per cent.
This was said by Minister of Energy Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein during the sixth day of 18th Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday.
Although Brunei Darussalam has been hit by the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak last year, the Ministry of Energy is still able to record some significant achievements for 2021, the minister added.
The department celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. DES also achieved an important milestone with the connection of the National Grid to Temburong District via the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge. The connection further enhances the service and reliability of electricity supply for the people and residents of the district, he said.
“Temburong District is also the focus of the ministry for the installation of solar-powered street lights and solar panels in government buildings to promote the use of alternative energy sources.
“DES will continue to implement service digitisation projects with the use of SCADA technology which will hopefully reduce the disruption of electricity supply to the public, and the implementation of Energy Management System to help improve efficiency, operation and in turn reduce the cost of electricity generated,” the minister said.
