Electricity in Brunei in 2021
In 2021, electricity consumption in Brunei was solely reliant on fossil fuels. Almost half of the country's electricity, precisely 49%, was generated from coal, while gas contributed slightly less, coming in at approximately 48%. This fossil-based energy portfolio accounted for the entirety of Brunei's energy consumption, illustrating the absence of low-carbon energy sources in their mix. It's worth noting that Brunei neither imports nor exports electricity, meaning that it's entirely self-sufficient in terms of power generation, although fully dependent on fossil sources.
Suggestions
To shift towards a green and sustainable future, Brunei could take inspiration from nations that have significantly increased their low-carbon energy generation. For instance, countries like France, Ukraine and Slovakia generate over half of their electricity from nuclear power. Other countries, such as Denmark and Ireland, derive over a third of their power from wind energy. Given Brunei's tropical climate, it might also look towards nations like Chile and Yemen, where around 17% of electricity is generated from solar energy. Emulation of these successful energy portfolios could put Brunei on the path towards a cleaner energy future.
History
However, it's worth highlighting the lack of progress towards low-carbon energy in Brunei's past. According to data, solar energy production has been at a standstill for nearly a decade, from 2011 to 2018. During this period, solar electricity generation has consistently reported a zero increase, suggesting a lack of initiative in harnessing this form of clean energy. This decade-long stagnation indicates that the country has made little to no strides towards diversifying its energy mix and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, moving forward, Brunei will need to confront this inertia head-on and implement strategies to promote the use of clean, low-carbon energies.