In a move poised to reshape Brunei’s energy landscape, a tri-national joint venture led by Malaysia’s Solarvest Holdings Berhad has secured the contract to develop the country’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant.
The 30-megawatt project, to be constructed on a 33.29-hectare remediated landfill in Kampong Belimbing, marks a critical step in the Sultanate’s ambition to shift towards a 30 per cent renewable energy mix and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2030.
The contract was awarded to Seri Suria Power (B) Sdn Bhd — a joint venture between Brunei’s Khazanah Satu Sdn Bhd, Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd, and Atlantic Blue Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia’s Solarvest. Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with full commissioning expected by the end of 2026.
Once operational, the solar plant will generate an estimated 64 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually, offsetting approximately 645,000 MMBtu of natural gas and 92 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. It will also support Brunei’s efforts to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, which still account for 95 per cent of the country’s electricity generation as of 2024.
The agreements, including a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement and a Land Lease Agreement with the Brunei Government, were formalised in Bandar Seri Begawan on 14 June 2025.
The ceremony was officiated by senior government leaders including the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi Bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and the Minister of Finance and Economy II, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah.
The project was the result of a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) launched in 2021, designed to ensure strong local participation and capacity-building. The inclusion of government-linked companies as joint venture partners was a prerequisite, underlining Brunei’s commitment to long-term energy resilience and skill development in the renewables sector.
“We applaud the Brunei Government’s forward-thinking measures and supportive regulatory framework, which ensure the effective execution of the national clean energy transition plan. Alongside various initiatives introduced over the years, this project reaffirms our commitment to a progressive path toward a dynamic and sustainable economy, aligned with prevailing global economic trends,” said Shaikh Khalid bin Shaikh Haji Ahmad, chairman and managing director of Serikandi Oilfield Services.
He added, “With our extensive experience in providing engineering and construction services in the oil and gas industry, Serikandi is well-positioned to seize emerging opportunities in Brunei Darussalam’s growing new and renewable energy sector—opening up job opportunities for Bruneian citizens.”
Leon Liew Chee Ing (刘骐英), executive director and group chief strategy officer of Solarvest, noted that the collaboration was significant not just for Brunei, but for the region. He said, “In 2024, Brunei’s electricity consumption totalled 3,242 GWh, with 95 per cent generated from fossil fuels—highlighting an urgent need for a clean energy transition. The Brunei Government’s commitment to renewable energy is truly commendable, given the nation’s abundance of fossil fuels.
“This milestone marks a proud moment for both Solarvest and Serikandi as we support Brunei’s journey toward a more sustainable energy future. Leveraging our technical expertise and regional experience, we are honoured to play a part in delivering the nation’s largest solar initiative,” concluded Leon.
The development is being closely watched across South East Asia, as oil-rich nations such as Brunei begin transitioning toward a more diversified and decarbonised energy portfolio — a shift seen as essential for regional energy security and climate commitments under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2021-2025.
Beyond emissions reduction, the project is expected to catalyse economic opportunities in Brunei through local business engagement, supply chain development, and clean-tech employment, aligning with regional goals of inclusive and sustainable growth in the energy sector. 