A joint townhall organized by the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (DOE) and the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) that was held at the SPARK Mini Theatre highlighted that businesses operating at Sungai Bera Industrial Park are set to benefit from practical solutions to reduce operational costs and improve energy efficiency. Present as the Guest of Honor was Yang Mulia Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Also in attendance were Yang Mulia Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as senior representatives from the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office and the BEDB.
The session brought together industrial park tenants, financial institutions, and key stakeholders to help businesses better understand how to optimize their energy usage, lower electricity costs, and explore solar adoption through available technical and financing support.
The initiative forms part of DOE’s broader efforts to drive energy efficiency and cost competitiveness across Brunei Darussalam’s commercial and Industrial sector. Sungai Bera Industrial Park has been identified as a pilot, leveraging the co-location of companies to enable a coordinated, scalable model for replication across other industrial areas.
In her welcoming remarks, Yang Mulia Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted the importance of energy efficiency as a key starting point in improving business competitiveness and optimizing energy use. She noted that such efforts can be further complemented by solutions such as solar integration to enhance long-term cost efficiency and sustainability. These efforts build on earlier energy audits conducted by DOE, which provided insights into consumption patterns and highlighted actionable opportunities to reduce energy use and costs. Energy efficiency is also a critical component in preparing the commercial sector for the new progressive electricity tariff structure that will be implemented in 2028.
Daniel Leong, Acting Chief Executive Officer of BEDB, emphasised the importance of translating awareness into practical action for businesses, “For many businesses, energy costs are a significant operating expense. This initiative is about helping companies improve efficiency, manage costs, and take practical next steps.”
During the session, DOE outlined the broader initiative to support Sg. Bera Industrial Park’s transition towards a more energy-efficient and lower-carbon industrial ecosystem. Practical measures were shared to guide tenants in improving energy performance, supported by insights on regulatory frameworks and available policies. Drawing from its experience at the SPARK Centre, BEDB also demonstrated how solar adoption can deliver tangible operational and cost-saving benefits for businesses.
The programme featured a series of lightning talks and an interactive panel discussion, with representatives from industry and the financial sector. These sessions addressed common challenges faced by businesses, including technical complexity, upfront investment considerations, and access to financing, while providing practical guidance on available solutions.
The Sungai Bera Industrial Park is expected to serve as a pilot model for similar efforts across other industrial parks in Brunei Darussalam, supporting broader national efforts to enhance industrial efficiency, strengthen business competitiveness, and contribute to economic diversification.
The townhall concluded with a shared commitment among government agencies, industry players, and financial institutions to continue working together to support businesses in adopting practical, cost-effective solutions that drive long-term growth and sustainability.
