Photo 1. All Participants of the AEO9 Country Visit to Brunei Darussalam.
As part of the development process for the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) conducted a country visit to Brunei Darussalam on 29 January 2026 in Bandar Seri Begawan. The visit forms part of a series of in-depth consultations with all eleven ASEAN Member States (AMS) from January to March 2025, aimed at refining modelling inputs, validating assumptions, and strengthening alignment between national priorities and regional energy analysis. The AEO9 Country Visits are supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF).
Photo 2. Welcoming remarks from the Host Country.
The programme began with welcoming remarks from Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Department of Energy, Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, followed by Yang Mulia Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira Bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Deputy Permanent Secretary. In her remarks, she welcomed ACE delegation and emphasised the country’s continued support for the development of ASEAN Energy Outlook.
Photo 3. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, delivering his welcoming remarks
This was followed by remarks from Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE. He expressed appreciation for Brunei Darussalam’s strong commitment throughout the development of AEO9 and acknowledged its vital role in ASEAN’s energy landscape. He highlighted that the country visit served as an in-depth consultation to engage directly with national stakeholders, while continuing to integrate Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, emphasising that an inclusive energy transition must recognise diverse perspectives and differentiated impacts. Dato’ Razib reaffirmed that the ACE remains fully committed to supporting Brunei Darussalam and all AMS in advancing sustainable energy development, strengthening regional cooperation, and achieving shared energy and climate goals.
Photo 4. Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of MPP at ACE, delivering the AEO9 Progress Update Session.
The first technical session featured an AEO9 progress update presented by Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE. He outlined the AEO9 development timeline, modelling structure, and the importance of high-quality national inputs to strengthen the accuracy and relevance of projections. The presentation also positioned the country visits as a key milestone for ensuring strong national ownership of AEO9 outcomes.
Photo 5. Suwanto, Head of FOM Department at ACE delivering the downstream topic.
Following this, Suwanto, Head of Fossil Fuel, Hydrocarbon, and Minerals (FOM) at ACE, delivered a presentation on ACE’s downstream research agenda, with a specific focus on developments in Brunei Darussalam’s strategic prospects for advancing its petrochemical sector. He underscored the country’s strong hydrocarbon resource base and emphasised its long-term economic diversification agenda, which positions Brunei Darussalam to move further downstream in the oil and gas value chain. The presentation highlighted opportunities to enhance value addition, strengthen industrial resilience, and reinforce the country’s competitiveness within the evolving regional energy landscape.
Photo 6. Data and Assumptions Consultation Session led by Rika Safrina, Senior Analyst of MPP and Afham Kilmi, Research Analyst of MPP at ASEAN Centre for Energy.
Following this, Rika Safrina, Senior Analyst of MPP at ACE, together with Afham Kilmi, Research Analyst of MPP, led a detailed consultation on data inputs and modelling assumptions. The discussion covered socio-economic indicators, policy frameworks, energy demand by sector, as well as supply and transformation data. This session served to validate existing datasets, clarify methodological approaches, and identify any data gaps or updates needed. The consultation also facilitated cross-sectoral dialogue among representatives from energy agencies, utilities, and other relevant institutions, ensuring comprehensive and consistent national inputs to AEO9.
In the afternoon, Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller at ACE, presented the initial findings of the Baseline Scenario (BAS) and the AMS Target Scenario (ATS) for Brunei Darussalam. The session provided an opportunity for national stakeholders to review preliminary projections on energy demand, supply, and transformation, and to discuss how existing and planned policies are reflected in the modelling. Participants shared feedback on sectoral trends, technology uptake, and policy implementation timelines, helping to ensure that the country-level results accurately capture Brunei Darussalam’s energy landscape. The next session focused on discussions surrounding the Regional Aspiration Scenario (RAS). ACE introduced the proposed definition and modelling approach for RAS, which represents a more ambitious regional pathway aligned with ASEAN’s long-term decarbonisation and sustainability goals. Through an interactive discussion, Brunei’s representatives identified potential policy levers, technology options, and intervention areas that could contribute to higher ambition levels. These insights will inform the calibration of RAS and strengthen its relevance to national contexts.
Photo 7. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director at ACE presents the AEO8 report to the host country
The visit concluded with a Way Forward and Closing session delivered by Yang Mulia Dayang Noor Dina Zharina binti Haji Yahya Head of Policy and Strategy Division, Department of Energy Prime Minister's Office. She reaffirmed that as an AMS, Brunei Darussalam remains fully committed to supporting the development of ASEAN Energy Outlook and contributing actively to its implementation. The visit concluded with alignment on next steps, including continued technical coordination, refinement of country-level results, and follow-up inputs to strengthen RAS. Beyond data validation, the discussion facilitated knowledge exchange on scenario development, energy planning, and inclusive transition pathways, reinforcing ASEAN’s shared commitment to a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future.
