isramart :Solar Power Way To Save Oil, Slash CO2 Emissions

Isramart news:
Kuala Belait - Brunei is set to save about 340,400 litres of crude oil and reduce about 940 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually once the Tenaga Suria Brunei solar power project starts generating electricity next year.

The project, which is set to generate some 1.344MWh of electricity per year, has moved a step closer with the groundbreaking ceremony at the Seria Power Station yesterday.

Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office Hj Ismail POK PS DP Hj Hashim said that harnessing solar power has been identified as one of the most viable options among the various sustainable and renewable energy sources.

He said that apart from providing the country with a renewable source of energy, the Tenaga Suria Brunei project can offer more opportunities to train and provide locals with the knowledge and expertise on photovoltaic (PV) technology, free up valuable oil and gas resources currently used to generate power and change the mindset of being too dependent on oil and gas.

“Although the use of natural gas as a source of energy is one of the cleanest ways of generating power, solar energy will offer us with an even cleaner option.” said the deputy permanent secretary.

The fact that photovoltaic panels can easily be installed on rooftops or barren land is a contribution to conserving the environment that must not he overlooked, he added.

The groundbreaking ceremony is the latest development in harnessing solar energy in the country which was signed under a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Corporation last August.

The project began with a PV solar demonstration project, followed by the completion of technical specifications conducted this January and the appointment of a prime contractor.

The PV system will carry a nominal capacity of 1.2MW, comprising six different types of advanced PV modules.

The PV modules will be installed on the site and connected to the existing electricity grid to become one of the largest PV systems of its kind in Southeast Asia.

With the PV system, the Energy Division of the Prime Minister’s Office, Electrical Services Department and Mitsubishi Corporation will jointly carry out verification tests and evaluations on the performance characteristics of each different PV module to check its feasibility in Brunei’s tropical climatic conditions.
To support the government’s aspiration towards the promotion of photovoltaic power generation in the country, Mitsubishi Corporation will fund the Tenaga Suria Brunei project, transfer technology and train experts to operate the PV system.