Mitsubishi to support Brunei solar project
Mitsubishi, Japan's biggest trading company, will transfer needed technology, educate local staff and shoulder the project's total cost, estimated at 1.5 billion yen ($13.7 million), a company spokesman said.
The tiny but wealthy nation on Borneo island is aiming to introduce renewable power sources to diversify its primary energy supply, with hurdles yet to be cleared including the grid system and know-how on installation and maintenance.
"Brunei heavily relies on oil and natural gas, both natural resources with deposit limits," the Mitsubishi spokesman said. "As a business partner with a history of almost 40 years, we'd like to do something for the economy's sustainable growth."
In a joint venture with the Brunei government and Royal Dutch Shell, Mitsubishi has since 1972 produced and shipped natural gas mainly to Japan.
It is the sole such project, and Japan relies on Brunei for about 10 percent of its annual natural gas imports.
Mitsubishi said the test solar plant will be fitted with a range of solar panel types and produce data to gauge the most suitable one under for the region's climate.
The plant will be located at an abandoned thermal power plant in Seria, about 70 km (44 miles) west of the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Its capacity of 1.2 megawatts would be enough to power some 400 homes.
Related News

India's electricity demand falls at the fastest pace in at least 12 years
DELHI - India's power demand fell at the fastest pace in at least 12 years in October, signalling a continued decline in the industrial output, according to government data. Electricity has about 8% weighting in the country's index for industrial production.
India needs electricity to fuel its expanding economy but a third decline in power consumption in as many months points to tapering industrial activity in a nation that aims to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.
India's industrial output fell at the fastest pace in over six years in September, adding to a series of weak indicators that suggests that…