His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Officiates Seria Energy Lab And BSP’s Flagship Solar PV Plant

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Brunei Shell Joint Venture Companies consented to grace the opening of the Seria Energy Lab (formerly known as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre) and the launching ceremony of Brunei Shell Petroleum Co. Sdn Bhd (BSP) Flagship Solar PV Plant and on Tuesday, 6 April 2021.

This is a significant milestone for BSP and further reinforced its contributions in Brunei
Darussalam’s efforts towards a low carbon nation. The inauguration of the BSP Flagship Solar PV plant signifies BSP’s strong commitment to pursue energy diversification and decarbonisation, and in support of the country’s target of increasing the total share of renewable energy to at least 30% of total power generation capacity by 2035. Meanwhile, the Seria Energy Lab, through Shell’s NXplorers, which is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational programme, and its new exhibits aspires to enthuse students and youths on renewable energy, environment and innovation.

On arrival at the BSP Head Office helipad in Seria, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, as a member of the Board of Directors of BSP; Acting Minister of Energy, Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw; Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Yang Mulia Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra; Acting District Officer of Belait District, Yang Mulia Awang Mohammad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed, and Deputy Managing Director and Technical Director of BSP, Yang Mulia Yap Kong Fah.

His Royal Highness was welcomed at the Seria Energy Lab by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal), a member of the Board of Directors of BSP,  Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abd Rahman and BSP management team led by BSP Managing Director and Shell Country Chair Brunei, Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis,.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, Chief Syar’ie Judge led the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and the Doa Selamat.

His Royal Highness then consented to launch the Seria Energy Lab and witness a video presentation  of the Seria Energy Lab.

His Royal Highness also signed a commemorative plaque and consented to receive a Pesambah presented by Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis. His Royal Highness then proceeded to view the newly-revamped exhibition hall featuring exhibits related to the Oil and Gas Industry and topics focusing on energy transition and renewable energy.

The Seria Energy Lab is a science centre designed to instil interest and knowledge in today’s youth regarding renewable energy as tomorrow’s leaders. It features five new exhibitions including interactive showcase on smart drilling technology, an Aqualab with a giant centrepiece that highlights “Life Beneath the Platforms” and a helicopter simulator experience that is based on BSP’s own aircraft services at Anduki Airfield. 

The centre was first opened in 2002 by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as the Oil & Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC). The revamped Seria Energy Lab is fully run and operated by Bruneians. As the world and Brunei navigate through the energy transition, Seria Energy Lab has been designed to reflect today’s energy industry. The centre also aims to advocate the importance of interactive teachings related to STEM and to encourage more students to venture into these disciplines. The centre is part of BSP’s Social Investment programme and is one of many examples of BSP’s commitment towards contributing to nation-building especially in the areas of education.

After the tour, His Royal Highness then headed to The Gallery building for Santap and also consented for a group photo with the BSP Board of Directors, BSP management and the Seria Energy Lab management and staff.

His Royal Highness then proceeded to the BSP Flagship Solar PV Plant at G11, Seria. Upon arrival at the Solar Plant, His Royal Highness was greeted by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal), Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abd Rahman; BSP Commercial Director, Haji Mohammad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah; BSP Head of Energy Transition, Shirley Sikun; BSP Corporate Manager, Haji Jaafar Haji Awang Bakar; and BSP Head Onshore Electricity Distribution, Haji Madani bin Ismail.

His Royal Highness consented to launch BSP’s Flagship Solar 3.3MWp PV plant, prior to signing a commemorative plaque to signify the launching of the plant followed by a meet and greet with the Project and Asset Teams. His Royal Highness was then briefed about the solar plant project and consented to receive a Pesambah from the BSP Solar PV Project Team.

BSP’s Flagship Solar PV Plant, located at G11 along Jalan Tengah, Seria is the second solar plant in Brunei, featuring the latest technology in solar panels. The construction of the plant took over seven months, where almost 7,000 solar panels were installed on the four hectares of land. The 3.3MWp plant produced its first power on 30th March 2021.

The solar power generated is equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 600 households per year and will offset some of the power used by the BSP Head Office. On a national level, the power generated will contribute towards Brunei’s target of producing 100MWp renewable energy by 2025.

With 90% of the BSP project team made up of locals, the project has been a stepping stone in expanding the Bruneians’ expertise in renewable energy. As part of the project, two learning events were delivered at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Universiti Teknologi Brunei where students received first-hand information on the solar industry.
The ceremony ended with a group photo of His Royal Highness with members of Brunei Shell Joint Ventures (BSJV) Board of Directors, Senior Government officials, BSP management team and members of the project team.

The launching ceremony clearly reflects His Royal Highness’s support in realising the economic development of the country and improving the welfare of the people, as per His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s aspirations in achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035.