Solarvest to Build Brunei’s Largest 30MW Solar Power Plant

Solarvest Holdings Berhad, a regional clean energy infrastructure developer, has secured a major contract to deliver Brunei Darussalam’s largest solar power project. The project, led by Solarvest’s wholly owned subsidiary Atlantic Blue Sdn Bhd, will be executed through a joint venture company, Seri Suria Power (B) Sdn Bhd. The joint venture includes local partners Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd and Khazanah Satu Sdn Bhd.

The new solar power plant, scheduled to begin construction in the third quarter of 2025, will be located on a 33.29-hectare remediated landfill in Kampong Belimbing, Mukim Kota Batu. Once completed by the end of 2026, it will have a capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), making it the largest solar photovoltaic power plant (SPVPP) in the country.

The project is designed to produce an annual output of 64,473,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is expected to offset approximately 645,000 MMBtu of natural gas and avoid the emission of around 92 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This development is considered a significant step towards Brunei’s ambition to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

The formalisation of the project took place on 14 June 2025, marked by the signing of three critical agreements. These include the Joint Venture Agreement between Khazanah Satu Sdn Bhd, Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd, and Atlantic Blue Sdn Bhd; a Land Lease Agreement between Seri Suria Power (B) Sdn Bhd and the Government of Brunei Darussalam, represented by the Department of Energy, Prime Minister’s Office; and a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Department of Electrical Services, Prime Minister’s Office.

The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking government officials, including the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, the Minister of Finance and Economy II, as well as Deputy Ministers and Permanent Secretaries from both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

This project originated from a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Government of Brunei Darussalam in 2021. The RFP attracted strong interest from both domestic and international solar developers. Under the RFP requirements, all participating companies were required to form joint ventures with Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), with the aim of strengthening local participation and developing national capabilities in the renewable energy sector.

The move is part of Brunei’s strategy to achieve a 30 percent renewable energy mix in its power sector. Currently, Brunei’s electricity generation is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with 95 percent of its 2024 electricity consumption of 3,242 GWh coming from non-renewable sources. The government’s target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from business-as-usual levels by 2030. The introduction of large-scale solar power projects is seen as a crucial step toward this objective.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the SPVPP project is expected to create new opportunities for local businesses and support the national economy. By requiring joint ventures with local companies, the project aims to encourage knowledge transfer, job creation, and the development of technical expertise within Brunei. The construction and operation of the plant will provide jobs and open up new prospects for local enterprises in related fields.

Solarvest, with its experience in clean energy infrastructure, and Serikandi Oilfield Services, known for its engineering and construction capabilities in the oil and gas sector, bring together both technical and industry experience to this project. The involvement of these companies in Brunei’s clean energy sector reflects the growing interest among regional players in supporting the country’s energy transition goals.

Brunei’s commitment to renewable energy is significant given its status as a country with abundant fossil fuel resources. The decision to move forward with its largest national solar project demonstrates the government’s intention to support global trends towards sustainability while meeting its own national objectives.

As the project progresses, it will play a critical role in Brunei’s clean energy transition and support the country’s pledge under international agreements to lower carbon emissions and promote sustainable economic growth. With construction expected to start in 2025 and completion targeted for the end of 2026, the success of the SPVPP may also serve as a catalyst for further renewable energy developments in Brunei Darussalam.