In 2023, Brunei’s electricity consumption was supplied entirely by fossil fuels, with close to no low-carbon electricity. Gas accounted for about 77% of the electricity mix—more than three-quarters—while coal supplied about 22%. Other fossil sources made up the small remainder. This dependence on fossil electricity highlights the opportunity to develop 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, roughly 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 modest record of 5 kWh in 2011. These comparisons show disappointing progress relative to past peaks, although they do not establish whether consumption fell in 2023 compared with 2022. Expanding clean electricity would help meet future demand from electrification and AI.

Suggestions

Brunei should prioritize solar deployment while considering nuclear electricity as a complementary source of reliable low-carbon supply. Rooftop solar and larger solar installations could draw lessons from tropical island regions such as Samoa, where solar supplies about 13% of electricity, and the US state of Hawaii, where it provides about 23%. Australia, with roughly 21% solar electricity, offers another useful example of scaling deployment. For nuclear development, 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, at roughly two-thirds nuclear, further demonstrates how nuclear can underpin a predominantly clean electricity system. Brunei could study these regions’ planning, workforce development and electricity infrastructure to build its own solar and nuclear pathway.

History

The available history shows no measurable annual expansion in Brunei’s solar electricity generation at the reported precision between 2011 and 2018. Every year in that period recorded a change of 0 TWh compared with the previous year. These rounded figures do not necessarily mean that no solar electricity was generated or that no small changes occurred, but they indicate no substantial growth visible in the data. This prolonged stagnation underscores the need for a more ambitious clean electricity programme.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade