Photo 1. Brunei Darussalam MYCE 2023 Opening Session (Credit to: Borneo Bulletin).

Department of Energy under the Prime Minister Office of Brunei Darussalam hosted a Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) 2023 on Energy Seminar with the theme “A Just Energy Transition Towards Green and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia.” The seminar is one of the MYCE 2023 agenda, which brings regional and national experts together to explore innovative strategies in seeking a technological and socially inclusive energy transition. The event is co-organised by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) as part of support to the ASEAN Member States (AMS) on their initiatives in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in the International Convention Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.  

Photo 2. YB Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II delivering Keynote Address accompanied by YM Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Acting Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office as Chairman of Brunei MYCE 2023 (Credit: Borneo Bulletin).

The event is being officially opened by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II as he quoted the 7th ASEAN Energy Outlook findings and as he emphasises how Brunei could play an important role on the interconnection for BIMP-PIP. Prior to his speech, Yang Mulia Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Acting Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office as Chairman of Brunei MYCE 2023 delivered his welcoming remarks by extending his gratitude to ACE and ERIA in co-organising this event. Dr Nuki Agya Utama, the Executive Director of ACE, also delivered a keynote speech starting on consolidated Brunei’s energy news recap in 2023. Followed by presenting pitching facts for each panel session on the two-day event, such as clean energy deployment, carbon capture storage (CCS), gas, and interconnection. He also emphasised that ACE is currently upgrading its capacity to foster concrete steps toward implementing energy transition in ASEAN. He also had a chance to have a closed-door dialogue with Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Halbi Yussof. 

Photo 3. (Left) with YB Pehin Dato Halbi Yussof and Dr Aladdin D. Rillo

This seminar also featured several experts from ACE as panellists to share their expertise and was attended by more than 200 participants in-person. The seminar is divided into four session panel sessions, within two days, followed by a fireside chat. Unlike traditional presentation, this session encourages free-flowing discussion that requires active interactions from speakers and participants. 

Photo 4. Panel Session I on Just Energy Transition led by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning of ACE on Brunei MYCE 2023 (Credit: Borneo Bulletin)

On the first day, Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE, led the initial session to discuss the development of clean energy for a fair energy transition. The discussion showcased various approaches that embody the diversification envisioned by the region. The session also featured Ms Monika Merdekawati, Research Analyst at ACE’s Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) department, who presented an ongoing study on Renewable Energy Certificates in ASEAN.The second session included Ms Aldilla Noor Rakhiemah, Senior Research Analyst for the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) at ACE, as a commentator on the discussion of emerging technologies, particularly carbon capture storage (CCS), for a clean energy future, as she advocated for large-scale deployment.Ms Amira Bilqis, an MPP analyst of ACE, hosted the fireside chat session. This interactive session encouraged active participation from attendees who shared their perspectives on the definition of a Just Energy Transition, the actions taken by ASEAN, and suggestions for the region’s future steps. The session also explored potential risks and vulnerabilities and opinions on measures to achieve an equitable and widespread energy transition.

Photo 5. Panel Session III on Interconnection led by Ms Rika Safrina on Brunei MYCE 2023 (Credit: RTB Perdana)

On the following day, Ms Rika Safrina, Senior Analyst at the MPP of ACE, commenced the event by guiding the panellists through an extensive discussion on energy interconnection to ensure a smooth energy transition. Mr Prihastya Wiratama, Project Manager of the ASEAN Power Interconnection at ACE, introduced the ASEAN Power Grid and provided a historical overview to set the scene for this session.This session was followed by a fireside chat session hosted by Dr Allysius Joko Purwanto from ERIA, featuring Ms Aldilla, who shared insights on hydrogen in ASEAN, drawing from her work in the Power, Fossil Fuel, and Alternative Storage (PFS) department.The final panel session, moderated by Ms Rika, called for further frameworks and implementation to explore financing mechanisms for energy transitions.Finally, Dr Zulfikar concluded the event by summarised all the sessions, consolidating recommendations from experts over the two days of Brunei MYCE 2023, and submitted this to Yang Mulia Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira to be presented to the Minister.