In 2023, Brunei’s electricity consumption was supplied entirely by fossil fuels, with close to none coming from low-carbon sources. Gas dominated at about 77%, while coal supplied roughly 22%. This leaves Brunei highly dependent on fossil electricity, with substantial scope to introduce clean generation and reduce the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Brunei?

Brunei’s electricity consumption per person was below its historical peak in 2023, rather than setting a new record. Consumption reached about 12,200 kWh per person, around 650 kWh—or 5%—below the 2020 record of about 12,800 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation was reported at zero kWh per person, compared with a small record of 5 kWh in 2011. These figures indicate disappointing progress toward expanding clean electricity, although comparison with historical peaks alone does not establish whether consumption fell in the latest year. Increasing clean electricity supply would help support future electrification and growing digital demand.

Suggestions

Brunei can increase low-carbon electricity generation by developing rooftop and larger-scale solar projects while considering nuclear electricity as a source of steady clean supply. Tropical island regions offer useful solar examples: Samoa and Vanuatu each generate about 13% of their electricity from solar, while Hawaii, a US state, reaches about 23%. Brunei could learn from their experience integrating solar into island electricity systems. For nuclear, the United Arab Emirates is a particularly relevant example of a fossil-fuel-producing country diversifying its electricity supply: nuclear provides about 20% of its generation. France, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity, offers further lessons in building a substantial clean electricity sector. Brunei could pursue international partnerships, workforce training and electricity-system planning to explore these opportunities.

History

The supplied historical data show no recorded year-to-year increase in Brunei’s solar electricity generation from 2011 through 2018: every annual change is listed as zero TWh. This sustained lack of recorded growth spans both the early and later 2010s in the available series. These are changes in generation, not generation totals, and rounded zero values may conceal very small movements. Nevertheless, the record provides no evidence of a meaningful solar expansion during those years—a missed opportunity that makes a stronger commitment to clean electricity growth especially important.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade