Brunei's Energy Synergy
By Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the transfer of the Department of Electrical Services (DES) and the Petroleum Unit under the administration and responsibility of the Minister of Energy in the Prime Minister's Office with effect from yesterday, December 1, 2005.

The Acting Minister of Development, Dato Doctor Haji Mat Sony Haji Mohd Hussein, yesterday handed over the Department of Electrical Services to the Minister of Energy, Pehin Dato Haji Awang Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, in a ceremony held at the Dewan Bertabur, Ministry of Development.

Pehin Yahya said the main objective of the transfer is to achieve a coordinated and integrated energy policy and action, which is presently handled by two departments, namely DES and Petroleum Unit.

"In this regard, both departments have separate objectives - Petroleum Unit as the custodian of the hydrocarbon resources will regulate the production of the natural resources and DES as the government agency that will provide services."

The move is not only to unify both under one roof but is also to bring them under one supervision and policy directive consistent with the needs of the country and the needs of the present and future generations, added Pehin Yahya.

The minister said the transfer of DES under the administration of the Minister of Energy is not an isolated action but as a follow up to the Cabinet Ministers reshuffle made by His Majesty in May, whereby a ministerial post was created to look after energy matters.

The initial effort of this office is to create public awareness on the importance of energy conservation, low-energy consuming lifestyles, and energy efficiency which require actions and cooperation from all sectors, not only from the government but also from the general public and the private sector, the minister added. Yesterday, the minister also launched a new logo for the department.

The Department of Electric came into being in 1921 and was under the Public Works Department. The first electrical generator was used to power the Wireless and Telegraph Department.

In 1934, the electrical installation scheme to houses of senior government officers and a rice factory in Brunei town started.

A year later, a diesel power station capable of generating 22 kilowatt and 75 kilowatt of energy started operation.

In 1953, the Department of Electric was changed to its present name, Department of Electrical Services; it started to provide power to the whole Brunei town.

In 1959, the department implemented an additional diesel generator capable of generating 884 kilowatt of power. In 1960, the Gadong power station, using diesel, started its operation followed by Temburong Diesel Power six years later.

Seven years later, a Gas Turbine Power Station started operation and in the same year, a 66,000 volts transmission line system from Seria to Bandar Seri Begawan was pressed into service.

In 1984, the department was placed under the Ministry of Development and the first local officer was elected a year later to lead the department. In 1987, the Lumut Power Station started its operation.

Today, there are 1,299 officers and staff (1,050 men and 249 women) working in the department.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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