In 2022, Brunei's electricity consumption was entirely dependent on fossil fuels. Out of the total electricity generated, a significant majority, approximately 78%, came from gas, while coal accounted for roughly 21%. This means that the electricity sector in Brunei is currently 100% reliant on high-carbon, fossil fuel sources. Unfortunately, this heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to substantial greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental concerns such as air pollution, emphasizing the need for a shift towards cleaner energy sources.
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Brunei can look to successful examples from around the world. Countries with high shares of low-carbon energy demonstrate the effectiveness of different strategies. For instance, France generates nearly two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear energy, and Slovakia follows closely with 62%. These countries have heavily invested in nuclear power, which provides a stable and substantial low-carbon energy source. On the other hand, Denmark and Uruguay have leaned heavily into wind energy, generating around 53% and 35% of their electricity from wind, respectively. By emulating these strategies, Brunei can diversify its energy mix, significantly reducing its carbon footprint while ensuring reliable electricity supply.
Brunei’s historical data reveals that there has been no substantial development in low-carbon electricity across the past decade. From 2011 to 2018, solar energy saw no increase in electricity generation, maintaining a constant output of zero terawatt-hours. This stagnation highlights the missed opportunities in transitioning towards cleaner sources of energy. Moving forward, Brunei can capitalize on the untapped potential of solar power, given the country's favorable climatic conditions. Coupled with lessons learned from the nuclear advancements in countries like France and Slovakia, Brunei has a roadmap to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation efforts.