Brunei Darussalam Biofuels Activities

Outline map of Brunei.

Despite being a significant regional producer of oil and natural gas, Brunei Darussalam is looking into diversifying its energy portfolio and follows the global trend in search of alternative energy sources. At the 12th ASEAN Summit, held in Cebu, the Philippines, Brunei signed the energy pact "Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security," which aims to reduce dependence on conventional fuels and accelerate the development of biofuels and other alternative energy.

A step forward in the outlined direction is the memorandum of understanding signed between Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and HDZ Biodiesel Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDZ) in April 2007 to establish a biodiesel project in Brunei Darussalam. The agreement commits the BEDB and HDZ to jointly collaborate in the implementation of the Biodiesel Project in Brunei Darussalam. The project will involve the establishment of two biodiesel and glycerin production facilities with capacities of 100,000 metric tonnes per annum in Phase 1 and 400,000 metric tonnes per annum in Phase 2. The total investment by HDZ for the integrated biodiesel project is $263 million (U.S.$). HDZ is a Malaysian company established for this project in Brunei Darussalam.

Currently, Brunei National Petroleum Company (PetroleumBRUNEI) is in discussion with the Philippines National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) regarding a joint biodiesel project in the Philippines using jatropha as feedstock.

Sources

  1. Office of the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, Energy Division, International Affairs Unit
  2. The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) (PDF 67 KB) Download Adobe Reader.