Electricity in Brunei in 2022

In 2022, Brunei's electricity consumption was entirely reliant on fossil fuels, with no contribution from low-carbon energy sources. The majority of this electricity, about 78%, was generated from natural gas, while coal accounted for roughly 21%. This complete dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation highlights the urgent need for a transition towards low-carbon sources to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce air pollution. There remains great potential for Brunei to diversify its energy mix by integrating clean energy solutions to achieve a more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity sector.

Suggestions

To shift towards low-carbon electricity generation, Brunei can draw lessons from various countries that have successfully integrated green energy into their infrastructure. For nations with a smaller geographic footprint and limited natural resources, nuclear energy provides a steady, potent source of power with a low carbon footprint, as demonstrated by France, where nuclear energy constitutes 68% of the electricity mix. Alternatively, wind power has also proven effective, particularly in smaller countries with suitable wind conditions. Denmark, for instance, generates about 59% of its electricity from wind energy. Brunei could explore the feasibility of these technologies by determining suitable areas for wind farms and examining the potential for nuclear power facilities, thus reducing its dependency on fossil fuels and moving towards a sustainable future.

History

Historically, Brunei has not pursued low-carbon electricity generation, as evidenced by the consistent lack of solar energy generation from 2011 to 2018. During these years, there was no recorded electricity generation from solar energy, indicating a missed opportunity to harness the abundant sunlight characteristic of the tropical climate. This stagnant period underscores the need for strategic investment and policy support to develop low-carbon power generation capacity, potentially starting with solar projects, given their declining cost and rapid scalability. Moving forward, Brunei has the opportunity to learn from global leaders by adopting innovative technologies and frameworks to gradually incorporate more sustainable energy sources into its electricity mix.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources