Brunei turns spotlight on renewable energy

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as chairman of the Brunei Shell Joint Venture Companies Board of Directors on Tuesday (April 6) viewed the newly-revamped exhibition hall featuring exhibits related to the oil and gas industry, along with topics focussing on energy transition and renewable energy.

The exhibition also includes an interactive showcase on smart drilling technology, an Aqualab with a giant centrepiece that highlights ‘Life Beneath the Platforms’, and a helicopter simulator experience-based on BSP’s own aircraft services at Anduki Airfield.

First opened by the Sultan in 2002 as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), the revamped Seria Energy Lab (SEL) is fully run and operated by Bruneians.

As the world, including Brunei, navigates through the energy transition, the SEL has been designed to reflect today’s energy industry. The centre also aims to advocate the importance of interactive teachings related to STEM, and to encourage more students to venture into these disciplines.

Furthermore, the centre also represents a part of BSP’s social investment programme as one of the many examples of its commitment towards contributing to nation-building, especially in the area of education.

His Royal Highness proceeded to The Gallery building for Santap; and also consented to a group photo with the BSP Board of Directors, BSP management, and Seria Energy Lab management and staff.

The Sultan launched BSP’s Flagship Solar 3.3MWp PV Plant with the signing of a commemorative plaque, which was then followed by a meet-and-greet with the project and asset teams to learn more about the project.

With 90 per cent of the BSP project team made up of locals, the BSP Flagship Solar PV Plant is a stepping stone towards expanding local expertise in renewable energy.

As part of the project, two learning events were delivered at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), where students received first-hand information on solar industry. - Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network