His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, as Chairman of the Brunei Shell Joint Venture Companies Board of Directors yesterday viewed the newly-revamped exhibition hall featuring exhibits related to the oil and gas industry, along with topics focussing on energy transition and renewable energy.

The exhibition also includes an interactive showcase on smart drilling technology, an Aqualab with a giant centrepiece that highlights ‘Life Beneath the Platforms’, and a helicopter simulator experience-based on BSP’s own aircraft services at Anduki Airfield.

First opened by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in 2002 as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), the revamped Seria Energy Lab (SEL) is fully run and operated by Bruneians.

As the world, including Brunei, navigates through the energy transition, the SEL has been designed to reflect today’s energy industry. The centre also aims to advocate the importance of interactive teachings related to STEM, and to encourage more students to venture into these disciplines.

Furthermore, the centre also represents a part of BSP’s social investment programme as one of the many examples of its commitment towards contributing to nation-building, especially in the area of education.

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His Royal Highness proceeded to The Gallery building for Santap; and also consented to a group photo with the BSP Board of Directors, BSP management, and Seria Energy Lab management and staff.

Later, on arriving at the BSP Flagship Solar Plant located at G11, Seria, His Royal Highness was greeted by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal) Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman; BSP Commercial Director Haji Mohammad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah; BSP Head of Energy Transition Shirley Sikun; BSP Corporate Manager Haji Jaafar bin Haji Bakar; and BSP Head of Onshore Electricity Distribution Haji Madani bin Ismail.

His Royal Highness launched BSP’s Flagship Solar 3.3MWp PV Plant with the signing of a commemorative plaque, which was then followed by a meet-and-greet with the project and asset teams to learn more about the project. His Royal Highness received a pesambah from the BSP Solar PV Project team to commemorate the occasion.

With 90 per cent of the BSP project team made up of locals, the BSP Flagship Solar PV Plant is a stepping stone towards expanding local expertise in renewable energy. As part of the project, two learning events were delivered at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), where students received first-hand information on solar industry.

The ceremony ended with a group photo of His Royal Highness together with members of the Brunei Shell Joint Venture (BSJV) Companies Board of Directors, senior government officials, BSP management, and members of the project team.

Both the SEL and BSP Flagship Solar PV Plant will help support His Royal Highness’ vision in realising the country’s economic development and improve the welfare of the people, in accordance with His Majesty’s aspirations for Brunei Vision 2035.

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