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 and Chairman of the Brunei Shell Joint Venture, BSJV Companies Board of Directors yesterday morning officiated the opening of the Seria Energy Lab and Brunei Shell Petroleum BSP Flagship Solar PV Plant in the Belait District.
Upon arrival at the BSP head office helipad, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was greeted by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy as Member of BSP Board of Directors, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw Acting Minister of Energy, Awang Mohammad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed, Acting Belait District Officer and Yap Kong Fah, Deputy Managing Director and Technical Director of BSP.
His Royal Highness then proceeded to the S-20 area in Jalan Tengah Seria for the Launching Ceremony of the Seria Energy Lab. On arriving, His Royal Highness was greeted by Dato Seri Paduka Awang Ahmaddin bin Haji Abd Rahman, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy for Fiscal who is also a Member of the BSP Board of Directors as well as BSP's Managing Director and Shell Country Chair in Brunei, Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis.
The ceremony commenced with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah and doa selamat led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
In her welcoming remarks, the BSP Managing Director and Shell Country Chair in Brunei said that the Seria Energy Lab and BSP Flagship Solar PV plant have given pride and encouragement in building Bruneian's expertise in areas of renewable energy and energy transition.
His Royal Highness then launched the Seria Energy Lab.
The Seria Energy Lab, formerly known as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre, is a science centre designed to instil interest and knowledge in today's youth regarding renewable energy as tomorrow's leaders.
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.
The Seria Energy Lab's new exhibition also features an interactive exhibition on the smart drilling technology, Aqualab. The Seria Energy Lab reflects today's energy industry from the oil and gas sector as well as renewable energy.
His Royal Highness then launched the BSP Flagship Solar PV Plant at G-11 area in Jalan Tengah Seria. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abd Rahman, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy for Fiscal who is also a Member of the BSP Board of Directors.
His Royal Highness then signed a commemorative plaque to mark the launching of BSP's Flagship Solar 3.3 Megawatt Photo Voltaic Plant.
The construction of the plant took over seven months, where almost 7-thousand solar panels were installed. 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. The power generated will contribute towards Brunei's target of producing 100 Megawatt renewable energy by 2025.
With 90 percent of the BSP project team made up of locals, the project acts as a stepping stone in expanding the Bruneians' expertise in renewable energy.
The launching ceremony reflects His Royal Highness's support in realising the country's economic development and improving the well-being of the people.
News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto
