Head of Energy Transition Division at the Department of Energy, Prime Minister’s Office Shirley Sikun said Expro Brunei’s solar panels installation sets an example and inspiration to other private companies to follow in playing their part in energy transition.
She said this during the officiating of Expro Brunei’s operation of solar panels at the inauguration ceremony at its premises at the Sungai Bera Industrial Park yesterday.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah and guests officiated the launch.
“Recently, the COP28 (28th Conference of Parties) underscored the importance of lower carbon solutions through a rapid energy transition. Brunei Darussalam too recognises this importance and we are committed towards the tripling of global renewable energy generation capacity by 2030 and doubling energy efficiency improvement within the same timeline.”
She noted Expro Brunei’s initiative is aligned with the nation’s aspiration to increase renewable energy deployment, as well as other initiatives and efforts made over the years such as the introduction of the Net Metering programme in 2021 to enable small-scale solar panel installation.
“Other initiatives include the implementation of Energy Efficiency (Standards and Labelling) Act in 2023 promoting energy efficiency and conservation by restricting electrical appliances importation to those meeting the minimum energy efficiency standards only, to the introduction of energy-efficient technologies such as combined cycle gas turbine in our power generation.
“Accelerating the energy transition is a collective effort, the Department of Energy welcomes proactive initiatives such as today’s, as well as welcoming learnings which can be shared by Expro as they continue to monitor the performance of the solar installation,” Sikun said.
Expro Brunei Country Manager Brendon Tan said embracing renewable energy transcends more than mere economics.
The 264 newly installed solar panels generating 145.2 kilowatts per hour, aim to offset 80 per cent of the electrical usage by the office, Tan said. He said it will also enable them to draw less energy from the national grid, equivalent to the energy consumption of 15 average Bruneian homes annually. “In environmental terms, this is equivalent to planting 96 trees a year, saving 60 tonnes of coal, or avoiding 72 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Our decision to embrace solar energy epitomises Expro’s steadfast adherence to the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability. Through our Corporate Citizen of the World initiative, we endeavour to positively impact the communities and environments where we operate,” he added.
Brendon said that although the country benefits from favourable energy prices compared to other regions, the adoption of renewable energy entails considerations beyond mere economics.
Meanwhile, Technical Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd Erik Legius highlighted the solar panels installation is spearheading the broader citizen of the world initiative. “Emissions are local, but the impact of those emissions is felt worldwide.”
The ceremony also saw a brief video showcasing the timeline of the solar panels, handing of token of appreciation by the Expro Brunei Country Manager to the minister and a tour of the server room housing the equipment used to oversee the solar panel installation. – Daniel Lim
