New Lifestyle: Energy-Saving
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The success in instilling energy-saving practices requires the cooperation of all parties, be it the government or private sector, or mere individuals.

Furthermore as the country utilises its own crude oil and natural gas to produce power and refined petroleum products, the usage of electrical power and the petroleum products in an excessive and wasteful way inevitably causes a big loss to the country that is from opportunity costs if these resources were to have been sold or utilised in industrial projects.

This was noted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office in his speech as guest of honour during the launching of Energy Day 2008 in the parking area of the Department of Electrical Services main office yesterday.

It was revealed that in 2007 alone, the government spent a total of $202 million on subsidies for gasoline and diesel. This is the highest figure or amount spent ever since subsidy for petroleum was introduced in 1978.

The amount of subsidies have been on the rise and according to statistics in 2004, subsidies numbered in the region of more than $50 million, in 2005 was $150 million, while in 2006 it soared beyond $150 million and close to $200 million.

Global issues relating to increase in crude oil prices and their impact on consumers are now the main topics of discussions. Crude oil prices in the Asian market have recently smashed a record US$136 a barrel and there is no guarantee that prices will not go north. The negative impact is even more worrying if the burden shouldered by the government in providing subsidies is taken into consideration, he added.

The Energy Minister highlighted that it must be realised that the cost of producing each molecule of crude oil and natural gas in the country has been on the increase from year to year. Exploration efforts on the two natural resources have now become more difficult as the still available reserves are mostly located either in deep water areas of at depth sub-surface where both the pressure and temperature are very high.

He said the industry has so far lasted more than 80 years and sooner or later, as oil and natural gas are finite resources, Brunei should be ready to face the time where its reliance on these resources for income can no longer be continued.

The utilisation of the locally produced energy resources has provided the country with security as it is not exposed to the risks usually faced by most countries reliant on imported energy resources. The risks include interference on supply due to unrest within the originating country or region or problems arising during delivery.

"We often hear grumbling on higher prices of household goods like cooking oil and not surprisingly many have started to economise by reducing its use in cooking," the minister said.

However there is a question mark as to why the same move is not being applied on usage of electrical power and petroleum products for transportation.

"Some of us seem to have forgotten or have neglected the need to be prudent when using these commodities," Pehin Yahya said.

"We must study and be envious of the lifestyle of people living in developed countries where energy efficiency and conservation has long been given priority."

Speaking on the theme of this year's Energy Day celebration which is 'Moving together towards energy efficiency', the minister said it is to install a spirit of enthusiasm to participate and move together for the benefit of all. For this, the theme as provided must be used as a clarion call for everyone to play his/her role.

"We must distance ourselves from the attitude of waitand-see before implementing action. Similarly we must avoid being reluctant in implementing a measure that could

help us to save energy merely for fear of being ridiculed. It would also be a big loss if a wasteful act by a more superior party was to be pursued as an excuse for us to do the same.

"To instill a prudent practice requires the cooperation of all parties without regard to which groups we belong to be it from the government or the private sector, or just an individual. Again, this responsibility does not provide for an exception to be made based on age or how high our academic qualifications are," he said.

In his advice, he said we will not incur losses if we are quick in switching off lights and electrical appliances when not needed, even if we feel there are others who are more suited to carry out the task. "This is the simplest of ways to reduce our monthly cost of living."

People are also urged not to silently remain inactive against activities that could deplete energy supply such as fuel smuggling, theft of electrical equipment, vandalism and misuse of government property.

"We must erase the assumption that the responsibility belongs to somebody else as this no longer has any place in society," he added.

Thus, the minister calls on all ministries and government departments to implement energy-saving measures of His Majesty's Government. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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