Hakim Hayat
Seventeen store owners from the Tutong District were invited to a briefing session, organised by the Energy Transition Division of the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), on the Guidelines of energy saving for mini marts at the Seri Kenangan Hall in Pekan Tutong yesterday.
The session was led by Head of the Energy Efficiency and Saving, Energy Transition Division, Department of Energy at the PMO Muhammad Rifdi bin Haji Sahari.
The briefing session is one of the department’s initiatives to enhance awareness among the public on the importance of the reduction of electricity through three main components – knowledge, opinion and action – “to inculcate energy-efficient practices to avoid electricity wastage and at the same time improve safety aspects”, the department said. The department said the briefing will also support their efforts in reducing the use of fuel and carbon production, as well as to instil energy sustainability.
The Department of Energy is aiming for an integrated reduction in electrical energy use in all sectors of 230 gigawatt hours (GWh) by 2025, where 30 per cent will come from the commercial sector.
During the briefing, Muhammad Rifdi also offered advice and tips such as using energy-efficient air conditioners and energy-efficient refrigerators, without affecting the functions and customer comfort. He also encouraged premises to take advantage of renewable energy with the installation of roof solar photovoltaic (PV) system, such as the one currently being installed at the Bumiputra Complex in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District.
He said that the active participation and cooperation from store owners nationwide is crucial to realising the vision of making the Sultanate an efficient, smart and prudent energy consumer.