Energy Digital - December 2017

D e ce mb e r 2017

www.energydigital.com

TOP10 US CITIES FOR

ELECTRIC CARS

DATA SHARING: A NEW DRIVER FOR REVENUE

BMW i and the race to electric supremacy

FOREWORD HELLO AND WELCOME to the December issue of Energy Digital In this month’s issue, our lead feature looks at BMW’s ambitions to provide 25 electric and plug-in hybrid models by 2025. Vice President of Product Management Dirk Arnold, discusses how the company’s BMW i division continues to drive the electric side of the business.

With the 100,000 units mark expected to be hit in December, this year has been record-breaking one for BMW in terms of its electric and plug-in hybrid sales. ChargeNow, a BMW company, has also become the world’s largest vehicle charging network with 70,000 charging stations worldwide.

“Battery technology is developing pretty fast and we are now able to fit bigger batteries to bigger cars and offer longer ranges,” explains Arnold.

“For the time being, range is the currency with electric mobility.

Everybody is talking about it. As an automotive society, we have gotten used to ranges of 600 or 700km, even 1,000km with modern diesels. This is normal - personal mobility is endless.”

Our second feature provides key insights into how the UK energy industry is missing out on gaining significant savings up to $5.3bn per year. Unlocking and sharing of data will further drive the energy industry, and support the development of smart cities.

Rounding off the issue, we look at the 10 most electric-car friendly cities in the US based on the number of charging points available per 100,000 people Our exclusive digital reports also feature interviews with top executives and industry experts at Gladstone Area Water Board, OCP Ecuador and many more.

Enjoy the issue! www.energydigital.com www.bizclikmedia.com

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BMW i and the race to electric supremacy

INTERVIEW

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TECHNOLOGY

A new driver for revenue

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TOP 10

TOP 10 US CITIES for electric cars

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C O M PA N Y PROFILES

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Gladstone Area Water Board

First Solar

Australia

Australia

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Middle East

Africa

Envac

Songas

INTERVIEW

BMW i and the race to electric supremacy

Wr it t e n by TO M WA D LOW

Having hit the 100,000 sales milestone in 2017, BMW’s electric car division is roaring towards the 2020s and its promise to deliver 25 electric models.

Vice President of Product Management Dirk Arnold talks all things electromobility

INTERVIEW TO EVEN THE most ardent electric motoring convert, the name Ă nyos Jedlik may not mean anything.

A Hungarian inventor, Jedlik is widely accepted to have built the world’s first electric car and, given the very recent hype and attention now generated by electromobility, it is somewhat surprising to discover that this was as far back as 1828.

Other electric vehicle contraptions quickly followed, for example in 1830s Vermont, USA, where Thomas Davenport built another electrified car which operated on a track. However, by the turn of the 20th century, public interest had waned, largely due to high production costs and limited research progress, coupled with internal combustion engine breakthroughs championed by the likes of Henry Ford.

Even the attempt by General Motors in the 1990s to revive interest in electric fell away, this after making around 1,000 models with 140 miles of range.

However, fast-forward to the rise of Tesla from 2008 and the decade since, and the picture looks more optimistic.

Indeed, such is the rapid advancement of battery technology that all major car manufacturers have joined the electric race, and in a big way.

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“I found it slightly odd that at the major shows in Geneva and Frankfurt the big manufacturers were revealing what they had lined up for five years from now. This never used to happen with internal combustion cars” – Dirk Arnold, Vice President of Product Management at BMW i

INTERVIEW Dirk Arnold, Vice President of Product Management, BMW i

2021 launch year of

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the BMW iNext, its electric driverless car

Enter BMW i This is no better highlighted than by BMW’s commitment to produce 25 different electric and plug-in hybrid models by 2025. Having quietly worked behind the scenes while the likes of Tesla caught the public eye, the German manufacturer decided to break cover at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

“I think we may have underestimated the importance of heavyweight announcements,” reveals Dirk Arnold, Vice President of Product Management at BMW i, the division responsible for all things electric. “I get asked what the next big thing is because we started with the i3 eight years ago, but we haven’t until recently made any really big announcements about it.

“I found it slightly odd that at the major shows in Geneva and Frankfurt the big manufacturers were revealing what they had lined up for five years from now. This never used to happen with internal combustion cars. You don’t usually give away your plans, so for me it was pretty handy to see what all the others are doing. However, we decided at Frankfurt that we had to strike back with our own numbers

and ideas, even though we have been working on it for a long time.”

BMW i, what Arnold describes as BMW’s “incubator of innovation”, has a solid base to build from. This year has been a record-breaking one in terms of electric and plug-in hybrid sales, with the 100,000 units mark expected to be hit in December, taking BMW past other manufacturers into the number one spot.

Transition Arnold himself is a “true believer”, driving the urban concept i3 before he moved to BMW i in June 2016.

“As soon as you have tried it, you will never step back to an internal combustion engine car,” he says.

“It is a special kind of magic, the acceleration and the silence. There will always be some who don’t enjoy the silence, but I have found it easy to convince people.”

For the time being, at least in a global-scale automotive sense, Arnold finds himself in a small minority of electric car enthusiasts - in 2016, less than 1% of new registrations were for electric cars. However, several national markets are emerging strongly, markets which BMW i has 11

INTERVIEW enjoyed considerable success in.

Norway and the Netherlands are particularly fruitful examples, countries that Arnold refers to as rockstars. In terms of volume of models sold, the USA is perhaps unsurprisingly the company’s largest buyer. More surprising is the fact that Malaysia accounts for the fifthlargest number of BMW i sales.

While some markets embrace electric with greater enthusiasm than others, Arnold expects the next 10 to 15 years to be something of a transition phase while manufacturers develop electric solutions to cater for all needs.

“We started with the i3 and an urban mobility concept, which suited the technology available,” he explains.

“Obviously, this will not meet the needs of every driver, but in many urban areas where the daily commute is not too far, it is a perfect solution. Now we are offering more than 200km on the i3, and we have plug-in hybrids for those needing to drive longer journeys.

“Battery technology is developing pretty fast and we are now able to fit bigger batteries to bigger cars and offer longer ranges, but I don’t think we will completely replace combustion engines for 12

December 2017

at least another 20 to 30 years.”

The infrastructure challenge The single-largest barrier to overcome is undoubtedly the installation of adequate charging infrastructure. Entire new ecosystems of charging stations, parking and highways will need building if the mass market consumer is to be swayed, work which requires collaboration between numerous parties from auto manufacturers and governments to energy firms and construction businesses.

Arnold cites Amsterdam and Oslo as pioneering examples to follow, with both cities housing a lot of charging points that remove any range anxieties people living there might have. “A battery with a range of 200km is not a problem here as you can charge pretty much wherever you want – at the office, at home, at the shop, even at the opera,” he adds.

BWM i continues to invest in building such ecosystems. ChargeNow, a BMW company, is the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network with around 70,000 charging stations spread across the globe. A joint venture with Daimler, Volkswagen

BMW i is committed to producing 25 different electric car models by

2025

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INTERVIEW

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and Ford is seeing the construction of 400 supersize charging points at key junctures along the major highways connecting European countries.

“These chargers are much bigger than the DC 50kW, we are talking 150 to 350kW which can charge a car in minutes,” Arnold says.

“Models that we are releasing in the coming years with longer ranges of 400km-plus will be able to plug into these bigger chargers.”

This will all help combat widelyheld concerns over range. Arnold adds: “For the time being, range is the currency with electric mobility.

Everybody is talking about it. As an automotive society, we have gotten used to ranges of 600 or 700km, even 1,000km with modern diesels. This is normal - personal mobility is endless.

“Now we are offering a completely new, more unusual mobility. You can still travel long distances, but may have to plan slightly more carefully in terms of where to stop and recharge.

However, come the 2020s we will be seeing ranges on electric cars of more than 500km and this will be standard.”

A driverless electric future?

While Arnold’s immediate target for

2018 is to surpass the 100,000-plus models sold this year, what will happen in the 2020s is being defined by the work BMW i is undertaking now.

Driverless technology is developing alongside electric mobility solutions, and combination of the two is inevitable. For BMW, this will arrive as early as 2021 with the global launch of the iNext, but will autonomous capability deliver even further environmental efficiencies?

“First and foremost, we believe the iNext will make mobility safer,” Arnold answers. “Electrification will become the new normal, and BMW i’s next task is to introduce the next step, which is driverless. The iNext will combine the electric drive with level three and level four autonomous driving. Yes, it will reduce the power consumption of the car as it can drive more intelligently and detect traffic situations, but the biggest point will be safety.”

Rolling out a completely safe, fully-electric autonomous car that is ready to integrate into transit systems worldwide in a little over three years appears a daunting task, but Arnold and BMW i by nature must live in the future. “2021 to a person like me feels like the day after tomorrow,” he quips.

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Data sharing: A new driver for revenue

The increasing volume of data generation in the energy sector presents challenges. A new report states that UK organisations are losing billions each year due to hoarding excessive amounts of data. However, this presents real opportunities for profit Written by Leila Hawkins

D ATA

BY NOT SHARING data, the UK energy industry is missing out on savings of $92,000 for every MW of peak capacity, which equals $5.3bn per year. This includes key players like the National Grid, investors, battery manufacturers and management contractors.

The figure was arrived at by QBots, a company providing renewable energy solutions to businesses, and Foot Anstey, one of the UK’s top 100 law firms. The two undertook research into reducing infrastructure spend across the distribution network and the grid, having a greater security of supply by not relying on fossil fuel plants, and balancing energy supply at a local level rather than at national transmission levels. The report found that if the main energy players were to share their data effectively across these areas, it would result in huge efficiency savings and new ways of working, opening up additional revenue streams.

A whole new industry has formed to manage increasing amounts of data. One new system that has been developed is the blockchain, a method of storing and sharing data in highly secure “blocks,” the most 18

December 2017

famous example being the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Chris Prichett, Head of Energy at Foot Ansley explains: “That’s a system we’re likely to start seeing more and more. It involves everybody sharing information and a huge amount of processing power, but as an enabler of a smart localised grid that’s where the future is, and will be within five years.

“Blockchain will make a huge difference to the way we generate, consume and account for energy,” he continues. “It will be the biggest single driver of information change in the energy market, and the volume of processing requirement for a blockchain system involving energy is enormous.”

While it is a closed, secure system, it will make it possible for people to share their data in urban environments. “If I don’t use a certain amount of electricity in a day I can sell it on to my neighbour, who may not use all that and it spills over to the next neighbour,” Pritchett explains.

“All of that extra energy and selling gets automatically paged into my account under a self-completed transaction, which is all recorded by blockchain technology.”

The UK will spend about

$368mn on the Clean Growth Plan

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D ATA The concept of sharing The potential savings of data sharing will vary across the world. The US has very different grids and infrastructures, whereas throughout Western Europe data sharing is far more ingrained into operations, where suppliers are more accustomed to pooling information and using it to drive the market.

“We have seen quite a few pilot projects with aggregation of domestic batteries, particularly in the Netherlands, which clearly require an awful lot of information being accessible to a lot of different people,” Pritchett says.

“Germany in particular has this concept of municipal energy, and municipal energy generation. That drives their approach to doing things. In that sense, Europe is a bit more advanced in its thinking.”

However, he adds that the UK is making big inroads into financing

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research, “particularly looking at battery technology and performance.

About $368mn has just been announced for the Clean Growth Plan. There’s a whole load of really exciting research, presumably on the understanding that everybody will be able to see the benefits of that research, and apply that to a market to make it mature.”

In terms of how receptive companies are to sharing data, it depends on what they perceive its value will be.

“For some organisations it’s quite straightforward and they think it’s a good idea, for others it’s a bit alien because historically they’d always jump to protect their own IP, and they’d want to make sure their information is better than that of their competitors.

From a profit-driven, commercial base it’s coming, it’s always a change in the way of thinking,” he says.

To begin data sharing, someone

needs to take the lead before others follow: “It’s the confidence and the worry that you might do it and no-one else does it back,” Pritchett notes.

Smart cities - the future Some organisations are already implementing this. Tesla is one example, with its scheme to share autopilot data with their partners.

In the UK Smart Cities initiatives are trialling similar models, such as

putting sensors in recycling skips so councils know when they are full, and using data for people to identify available parking spaces before they’ve left the house.

Smart cities are clearly the way forward. As Pritchett explains, “that’s one of the more intriguing conversations where there are often formalised arrangements for people sharing data. That’s sometimes driven by the Open Data Institute

“If the main energy players were to share their data effectively across these areas, it would result in huge efficiency savings and new ways of working, opening up additional revenue streams” – Chris Pritchett, Head of Energy at Foot Ansley

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D ATA and people who are trying to facilitate the development of smart systems or cities – whether that is energy, particularly looking at transport infrastructure, air quality, or generally liveable cities – rather than smart for smart’s sake.”

Developing smart cities is where a lot of demand is going to be driven, however it will require commercial organisations to change their attitude towards data sharing.

“We’re doing pretty well in the UK in certain places, and parts of the US do it really well too,” Pritchett says. “Cities like Tel Aviv seem to be getting on top of this.

I think the concept of cities taking more control over their systems and improving traffic, air quality and energy usage, and becoming energy independent, represents not only great opportunities for people within those cities to have a better quality of life, but also for commercial organisations to get involved.

“In order to do that they’re going to have to change the way they look at information and the way they look at the data they’re generating. That’s going be a very exciting opportunity.”

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“Blockchain will make a huge difference to the way we generate, consume and account for energy” – Chris Pritchett, Head of Energy at Foot Ansley

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TOP 10

TOP 10 US CITIES for electric cars Energy Digital looks at the 10 most electric-car friendly cities in the US based on the number of charging points available per 100,000 people‌ Edited by Olivia Minnock

One would expect that California and its various forward-thinking cities would lead any discussion regarding electric cars. According to data gathered

by ChargePoint, a company that runs a network of electric vehicle charging stations, the 48,000 registered electric vehicles in San Francisco Bay area leads the country in terms of the percentage of electric cars relative to its population. The same study also showed that Los Angeles has 57,000 registered electric cars, making it the city with the highest actual number in the country. However, when it comes to the number of charging locations -- a crucial convenience that is vital in order for a city to successfully support a robust electric car environment -- California cities don’t dominate the list. Let’s take a look at the most electric-car friendly US cities to own an electric car, based upon the number of charging points per 100,000 people.

TOP 10

10 WASHINGTON

METRO AREA, MD/ VA/WV It might be surprising to learn that the Washington DC metropolitan area boasts more than 800 charging stations. This equates to about 4.7 for every 100,000 residents, earning the nation’s capital a solid spot in the top 10. Not only can electric vehicle owners enjoy carpool access even if there is only one person in the car, they also pay a reduced fee of $36 for their vehicle’s registration.

9ORLANDO, FL In Florida, the owner of an electric vehicle doesn’t need to pay most surcharges associated with insurance.

Electric vehicles can also freely use carpool lanes. Throughout the city, drivers of electric vehicles will find 4.7 charging locations for every 100,000 Orlando residents. In addition, the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers a rebate to businesses providing electric vehicle charging stations to employees and customers.

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8HONOLULU, HI In Hawaii, plug-in vehicles that are eligible and affixed with a special licence plate issued by the state can travel in the HOV lanes without meeting the minimum passenger requirements. And for every 100,000 residents, the city of Honolulu boasts 5.1 electric vehicle charging stations. The state of Hawaii has launched a free mobile application and web-based database to enable drivers to locate publicly available EV charging stations across the state.

7TUCSON, AZ Arizona offers a tax credit of up to $75 to individuals who install an EV charging outlet in their home. In addition, the state provides reduced licensing fees for electric vehicles as well as some hybrids that are plugins. Tucson’s 5.3 charging stations for every 100,000 residents means that drivers won’t have to rely only on their home network in order to charge their electric vehicle.

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TOP 10

6AUSTIN, TX In addition to being able to take advantage of a Texas-wide program providing an incentive of up to $2,500 for drivers who lease or purchase an eligible electric vehicle, Austin provides further advantages. Drivers can enjoy a rebate of up to $1,500 for electric vehicle charging equipment that they purchase. The city also provides 5.3 charging points for every 100,000 of the city’s residents.

5SEATTLE, WA Seattle’s reputation as one of the most environmentally-conscious cities continues to grow. In addition to 6.5 charging stations for every 100,000 of its residents, the city exempts the land used for their infrastructure, as well as the installation and purchase of EVrelated equipment, from state excise taxes. Eligible electric vehicles costing under $42,500 are also exempt from paying sales tax to the state. Plus, businesses can take advantage of state tax credits of up to 50% of the vehicle’s cost.

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4SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA

With 6.6 charging points for every 100,000 residents, the San Francisco Bay Area – which comprises both San Jose and Oakland as well as San Francisco – also offers hefty incentives for electric vehicle owners. These include rebates for both individuals and public utilities. Under the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, individuals can qualify for rebates of between $1,500 and $5,000, although this was curbed in 2016 to reflect the income of the purchaser. Public utility companies can receive up to $10,000 when they purchase electric vehicles.

3NASHVILLE, TN Tennessee does not offer any financial rebates to those who purchase electric vehicles. However, drivers with a qualified hybrid vehicle with a Smart Pass decal are entitled to use the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV), or ‘carpool’ lanes without regard to maintaining the minimum passenger levels. Nashville boasts 8.2 charging stations situated throughout the city for every 100,000 residents.

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TOP 10

2 DALLAS, TX For every 100,000 residents, Dallas has 10.6 charging points for electric vehicles. According to the stipulations of a state-wide program designed to encourage the purchase or lease of new plug-in electric vehicles, Dallas drivers can receive financial reimbursement of up to $2,500.

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1PORTLAND, OR Portland, Oregon, according to Indiana University, is the most electric car-friendly city in the country. With environmentally-conscious steps like more than 70% of its electricity coming from renewable sources and 11.1 charging stations for every 100,000 residents, this finding isn’t surprising. The state provides tax credits of up to $750 for EV buyers and Portland offers about 48 quickcharging sites situated strategically along 10 highways.Â

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THE

JOURNEY TO TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION AND DIGITAL

DISRUPTION Written by Niki Waldegrave Produced by Glen White

Gladstone Area Water Board has embarked on the cloud journey and is moving towards a digital future. CIO Kiran Kewalramani discusses how...

G L A D S T O N E A R E A WAT E R B O A R D ( G A W B )

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ater – it’s one of the world’s oldest resources, it’s not the kind of thing you’d usually associate with being at the cutting edge of technology.

But Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB), which supplies raw and potable water to major resource-sector industries, powergenerating organisations, and the Regional Council in the central Queensland region, is going through a digital transformation.

Leading it is Chief Information Officer Kiran Kewalramani, who has been kicking goals since he joined GAWB in June 2017.

A results-oriented executive, Kewalramani has previously assisted companies to define, develop and deliver their information and communications technology (ICT) strategic and operational initiatives, including at the NSW Rural Fire Service, Telstra and the NSW Police Force, delivering benefits the organisations can reap time and again.

His latest challenge is to transition GAWB from its traditional ICT delivery model to a Cloud Delivery model

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– sounds easy for self-declared digital transformation champion, right?

“Not quite,” he laughs. “Part of the ICT strategy is to transform GAWB into a digital company, replacing all appropriate manual processes with digital processes and digital workflows.

“Up until a few years ago, we had very traditional ICT, where most of our infrastructure was housed internally.

There were minimal automated workflow or centralised repository around that, and the processes were predominantly manual.

“Now we’ve started replacing them with digital processes and workflows.

So, rather than manually processing things and keeping records in their personal diaries, from a governance perspective, we are starting to leverage the benefits of an overarching compliance system that generates automated reminders.

“The processes are very transparent and are allowing us to remove any duplication. I like to

AUSTRALIA

Kiran Kewalramani Chief Information Officer

An executive with extensive experience in the roles such as CIO, CDO, PMO, Project Leader/Director within public and private sector organisations in Australia.

Kewalramani has assisted companies to define, develop and deliver their ICT strategic and operational initiatives, and moved to Gladstone five months ago so is fairly new into GAWB and to Central Queensland. He has more than 16 years in IT, has a Bachelor in computing engineering and also completed an MBA and then Public Administration, another post-graduate degree.

G L A D S T O N E A R E A WAT E R B O A R D ( G A W B )

think I’m reasonably well process-oriented, and have that nous to pick up areas that may not have process optimisation.”

“I Smart software strongly About a year or so ago, GAWB embarked on believe implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) GAWB is a leader solution and chose to partner with the enterprise software TechnologyOne. This has been a in our region, and I successful implementation for GAWB. “Whilst we are still in transition, the will do whatever it organisation is starting to see some of takes, from the the benefits of moving into the cloud already – high availability, scalability, technology and digital agility and flexibility – just to name perspective, to take GAWB a few,” Kewalramani says. in the new digital era” – Kiran Kewalramani, Chief Information Officer, GAWB

AUSTRALIA

Environmental release from Awoonga Dam

GAWB is the first water service provider in Australia – and the second in the world – to achieve ISO 55001 certification for its asset management system.

Leveraging off some of the cuttingedge technology that GAWB vendors offer such as TechnologyOne and SharePoint, Kewalramani recently implemented Microsoft Dynamics as its CRM proof of concept solution. The solution integrates well with GAWB’s corporate application (Office 365) suite.

“That’s been another huge success for us,” Kewalramani reveals. “I would like to think we’re leading the way in the Central Queensland area. I’m cognizant of the fact we’re not based in a metro, which brings its own challenges, but I see our organisation becoming digital at a very envious rate.

Confronting challenges When it comes to challenges over the next 18 months, Kewalramani says the main ones are implementing ICT service effectiveness and closer integration

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Gladstone Water Treatment Plant

AUSTRALIA

GAWB holds an allocation of 78,000ML per annum from Awoonga Dam on the Boyne River of ICT and business strategy.

ICT at GAWB is also well placed to transition from a traditional model to a more value-added model.

“As part of our transition plan, we are implementing a fit for purpose service delivery management framework. We are investigating automation in our operational technology network. We are investigating facets of Internet

of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence and analytics and how it can better support GAWB in its decision making.

Cost optimisation and running ICT like a business is another focus area for me. So, that whole transition is one of my major focus areas.”

He claims another challenge is better managing GAWB’s information as an asset. “Effective electronic

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G L A D S T O N E A R E A WAT E R B O A R D ( G A W B )

“We have on-field staff, and we have now made them digitally enabled. They now have a capability to get their regular maintenance schedule, and associated business instructions on a mobile device” – Kiran Kewalramani, Chief Information Officer, GAWB

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AUSTRALIA

content management is pain point for GAWB at the moment, and ICT is working with its partners to deliver an effective solution for GAWB.”

and secondary sites. This allows GAWB’s network to automatically switch to a secondary internet link, should the primary internet link fail.

It also automatically reverts once Goalkicking the issue has been resolved.

“Whilst we do have some confronting “From the user’s perspective, challenges in front I can’t be prouder they don’t know about it at all. The of GAWB and its successes. For an whole experience is transparent organisation of the size of GAWB, to them,” Kewalramani boasts. we have kicked some really GAWB has transitioned good goals, in a very some of its key short span of time,” applications in the says Kewalramani. cloud, such as GAWB employs “Gladstone is in TechnologyOne, an enterprise riska cyclone prone Office 365 and management system region, on the east is looking at that is based on the shores of Australia. transitioning its risk ISO 31000:2009 Since ICT and management solution international standard operational technology – Cura, into the cloud are pivotal parts of water as well. To augment that, delivery, keeping them operational GAWB has also developed a during emergencies is crucial.” clear, structured strategic roadmap In partnership with Nexon, a cloud to transition to an enterprise wide, fit and managed service provider for purpose cloud transformation. operating throughout Australia “I want to take it to a level where and the Asia Pacific region, GAWB we can leverage off all the benefits of has recently implemented a multibeing in the cloud,” he explains. “And vendor, fully redundant internet if something needs to be kept in a network link between its primary hybrid model, sure we do that, but we

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“Whilst we are still in transition, the organisation is starting to see some of its benefits of moving into the cloud already – high availability, scalability, agility and flexibility – just to name a few” – Kiran Kewalramani, Chief Information Officer, GAWB

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make that as an informed decision.”

Kewalramani says the technology within GAWB is “two-pronged”.

There is the corporate network, ICT, and operational technology, which is predominantly around the telemetric network and the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) network. The company has partnered with Schnieder Electric and Nexon to assist with the delivery of these technological elements.

Enterprises also have a huge appetite for mobility solutions, and GAWB is no different.

“We have on-field staff, and we have now made them digitally enabled,” Kewalramani explains.

“They now have a capability to get their regular maintenance schedule, and associated business instructions on a mobile device.” The solution is fully integrated with TechnologyOne, which means once the on-field staff updates their schedule, it’s updated in real-time on the ERP system.

Gathering momentum Over the next 18 to 24 months, Kewalramani says he sees GAWB

AUSTRALIA

Lake Awoonga Recreational Area

becoming more digital and wants to lead that change process.

“I also see us managing our information as an asset,” he adds, “where our content management is structured, our record management is structured, and we continue to maintain our compliance with the Queensland government requirements. The information is a streamlined, and getting any requested information is a smoother journey. There is less reliance on people and more reliance on the systems.”

He claims the whole utilitybased industry is starting to embrace technology a lot more.

Those utilities that are not doing it proactively will be left behind in

the game. “Not embarking on a technological transformation for any utilities based organisation will be fatal,” Kewalramani says.

“Nowadays, it’s an unsaid expectation from the business, whatever business you’re in, that you’ll provide a digital service to the customer, because if you don’t, someone else will and they’ll take your market share.

“It’s a do or die situation, pretty much for all the industry. But the good thing is that GAWB has acknowledged that and it’s already started. We’re well on the journey.”

Kewalramani says educating the workforce in the new digital capabilities is something he enjoys, and compares himself to

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G L A D S T O N E A R E A WAT E R B O A R D ( G A W B )

Lake Awoonga Recreational Area Ironbark Gully

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Pretty Face Wallabies are a common sight

AUSTRALIA

once-in-a-lifetime Australian cricket coach John Buchanan, who led the Australian cricket team to win the World Cup three times in a row. He coached the likes of Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne.

“I was not a very good soccer or cricket player, but I am a good manager/assistant coach,” says Kewalramani. “I help bring the best out of people.”

As well as managing his nineyear-old son’s football team, Kewalramani has been a business coach for many people. He has motivated them to drive their business and their lives forward.

“As a business coach, when I approached my new clients, my first question usually was ‘how do you think the business is doing?’ They would say either ‘good, bad, ugly’, and I’d ask, ‘by the way, did you know that your accountant said you made a profit of $20,000 this month?’

“They would look me in the eye going, ‘what? I don’t even have $2,000 in my bank account. My accountant’s smoking some really

good stuff’. They didn’t know the difference between a profit on your profit and loss statement, versus what cash-flow means. He coached these business owners, allowing them to gain financial mastery in their business. “A number of my clients won small business category, in their annual council awards ceremony.

A few even got nominated for the prestigious, Champion of Champion Award,” says Kewalramani.

“My proudest moments are where I’ve helped bring the best out of people, both professionally and on a personal front.”

With GAWB fully cemented on the digital path, and Kewalramani very much in the driving seat, it’s now extremely well placed as a successful water service provider in Central Queensland region.

“I strongly believe GAWB is a leader in our region, and I will do whatever it takes, from the technology and digital perspective, to take GAWB in the new digital era,” he claims.

DELIVERING

SOLAR TO AUSTRALIA

An economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity, large-scale solar electricity is booming in Australia Written by Niki Waldegrave

FIRST SOLAR

T

he sixth largest country in the world, Australia boasts the highest average solar radiation per square metre of any continent.

And its growing rapidly, thanks to the Renewable Energy Target (RET) – a government scheme designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the electricity sector. It also encourages the additional generation of electricity from sustainable and renewable sources.

American solar panel manufacturer, First Solar, entered the Australian market just seven years ago. Now,

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it’s acquiring, developing, financing, operating and maintaining some of our largest renewable projects.

It’s supplying 203 megawatt (MW) modules to two largescale PV projects Queensland, the Kidston Solar Farm and Sun Metals solar farm, and building the $230mn, 48.5MW Manildra Solar Farm in New South Wales.

Originally established to just supply the technology, the company saw a gap in the market and ramped up a capability to construct projects.

The last 18 months have certainly yielded for the company. Federal government agency, the

AUSTRALIA

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), intended to fund and support about 200MW of largescale solar. It ultimately ended up awarding approximately 450MW to 12 developers, including First Solar.

This is down to First Solar’s delivering capabilities and unique core technology, Cadmium Telluride (CdTe).

This is thin film technology whereby the semi-conductor material that goes in-between the glass converts sunlight to electricity. First Solar is the only company globally that manufactures this technology at commercial scale.

Over the next 18 months, First Solar will launch new products,

FIRST SOLAR

FAST FAC TS First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems using advanced module and system technology. Here are some key facts about the company: • 17+GW of modules sold worldwide • $14.5bn – First Solarfacilitated project financing • $3bn – 2016 revenue • Around 5,400 employees stationed around the world • First Solar technology delivers 7.5% more usable energy per nameplate watt than competing technologies

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‘Over the next 18 months, First Solar will launch new products, including its game-changing, next generation Series 6 module, which utilises a new production methodology, employs a larger glass size, has lower capital expenditures and is more cost effective’ 50

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AUSTRALIA

The most sustainable solar PV Technology including its game-changing, next generation Series 6 module, which utilises a new production methodology, employs a larger glass size, has lower capital expenditures and is more cost effective.

First Solar is also building and supplying Australia’s largest solar project, Sun Metals solar farm Queensland, with 140MW over a 12 to 15-month timeline.

The construction of the project is being managed by its construction

partner, RCR Tomlinson Ltd. The business is also a major supplier on the Genex Power-owned Kidston Solar Farm in Queensland, providing 63MW DC of advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV). The technology will produce approximately 145,000MW of electricity in its first year alone.

First Solar and RCR are also working together on the NSW Manildra Solar Farm, which was awarded $9.8mn of grant funding from ARENA. It will utilise approximately 466,000

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FIRST SOLAR

Greenough River - Australia

IXL Solar is part of the 160 year old Australian owned IXL Group, a tier 1 supplier to Caterpillar, Toyota, BHP and many others. IXL Solar design and manufacture solar framing solutions for ground mount and large commercial roof top solar installations.

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AUSTRALIA

First Solar thin-film PV modules to produce 120,000 MWh of electricity in its first year of operation, producing enough energy to power 14,000 homes and displace more than 91,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The company is also enthusiastic about commercial industrial procurement. There’s a global campaign to promote 100% renewable energy use in the business world, with behemoths like Google, Amazon and Apple investing in solar and wind energy.

Sun Metals is a prime example of this. It is a large zinc refinery and the first large-scale solar farm to be built directly by a major energy user in Australia.

Cost has been the primary driver of this. Over the last 10 years the cost to produce each panel has been streamlined and efficiency has increased, and First Solar’s plan is to continue promoting utility scale solar projects and reduce costs. The future certainly looks a bright one for the company and the industry at large.

‘American solar panel manufacturer, First Solar, entered the Australian market just seven years ago. Now, it’s acquiring, developing, financing, operating and maintaining some of our largest renewable projects’

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An Envac automatic waste collection facility

REMOVING WASTE

CREATING VALUE W R I T T EN BY: CATHERINE STURMAN P R O D U C ED BY: ROB GRAY

ENVAC SUPPORTS DEVELOPING SMART CITIES THROUGH ITS SUSTAINABLE, AUTOMATED VACUUM WASTE SOLUTIONS

“

There are huge opportunities to change the waste management industry. The earlier a design considers waste the better,” explains Envac Business Development Manager Alex Mitchell.

By 2050, cities will house approximately 70% of the human population, creating significant challenges in the way in which we manage waste. Whilst there have been advances in a multitude of industries, waste management has remained the same, creating high levels of pollution and increased health concerns.

However, this is set to change.

Founded in 1961 and with over 1,000 systems operating in 30 countries, Envac works to support the development of smart cities through embedding exceptional technologies that can be applied in large-scale developments, apartments, hospitals, commercial

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buildings and airports. Moving waste via a pipe network, Envac’s system connects buildings to a number of collection stations, situated away from the main development or city site, creating cleaner, more efficient spaces in which to grow and thrive.

Envac’s systems are ISO 9001 and HACCP compliant, yet the company faces an uphill battle in order for it to transform such a traditional industry. “Envac is slowly changing the perception of how waste can be managed by focusing on projects where we add value,” explains Mitchell. Envac’s waste collection solutions are able to significantly reduce labour costs long-term, reduce carbon emissions and eliminate a number of potential risks associated with increased waste levels and growing demands on this industry.

To increase market penetration and provide reliable development

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Envac’s system serves residential properties

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Envac’s systems are ISO 9001 and HACCP compliant

“THERE ARE HUGE OPPORTUNITIES TO CHANGE THE WASTE MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY. THE EARLIER A DESIGN CONSIDERS WASTE THE BETTER” - ALEX MITCHELL Envac Business Development Manager

E N VA C

www.environelectro.com | Tel: +971-559271353 info@environelectro.com | n.sambath@environelectro.com

ENVIRON ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTRACTING is a young team of professionals offering services on design, engineering, fabrication and installations works within UAE and wider GCC, we strive to be an integral part of our customers success by delivering projects of the highest quality, on time and on budget.

We believe in these basic principles for having a successful business. We have it at the back of our minds at all times to value this.

ENVIRON ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTRACTING - PO BOX: 126562 DUBAI, UAE

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guidelines for the automated vacuum waste collection industry, Envac has invested in working with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to develop a specification. This will “set the bar of quality” for industry to follow and will give a level of confidence to clients when it comes to the design.

will be connected to all areas in the district. The system will collect 145 tonnes of mixed waste per day via a pipe network that connects to a single collection station, where the waste is then stored in sealed containers which are removed from site once full. “If you imagine a neighbourhood within traditional waste management, KING ABDULLAH FINANCIAL a truck has to visit every single DISTRICT (KAFD) building and house and pick up By identifying customer requirements, the waste,” comments Mitchell. the need for the system and the “Envac’s system reduces carbon type of waste generated, Envac emissions as a result of reduced has been behind the waste strategy waste vehicle traffic, reduced fuel for the King Abdullah Financial emissions and idling time for trucks, District (KAFD) project. Situated contributing to a safe environment.” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, KAFD To drive up resource recovery will become the largest mixed use rates, the project will adopt a twofinancial centre in the Middle East. fraction system, one for dry and one Unlike traditional for wet waste. Each waste management waste fraction will systems, where be deposited into waste is manually separate waste Since 1961 Envac has collected and inlets, which will accumulated over 4,000 placed into a connect to multiple years of operational compactor and vertical gravity collected via trucks, chutes. The use of experience Envac’s flexible system inlets will eliminate the

1961

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E N VA C

An Envac litter bin in Stockholm, Sweden

Your partner

Together with our customers, we are always working to develop improved solutions within automation and industrial processes.

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possibility of overflowing waste, seen in traditional waste collection systems.

“Many existing high-rise buildings have gravity waste chutes installed, where residents or office workers can throw waste into an inlet on each floor,” explains Mitchell. “Envac’s system connects to the bottom of that chute where we install our discharge valve.”

The waste is temporarily stored at the valve until a collection cycle is activated by a level sensor or a timed sequence controlled by Envac’s Automation platform. The vacuum exhausters, located at the

“IF TRUCKS DON’T COME INTO THE DEVELOPMENT, IT REDUCES THE NUMBER OF TRUCKS ON THE ROAD AND THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS WITH PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER VEHICLES” - ALEX MITCHELL Envac Business Development Manager

collection station, are energised and create a negative pressure within the pipe network.

Once the required vacuum pressure is reached, Envac’s automation platform controls the valve openings to create a flow of air within the pipe network. The discharge valves then open to allow the waste to enter the system reaching speeds of 70kph. The air which carries the waste is consequently treated through a multistage filtering system, eliminating all potential odours.

Each waste collection station

in the Envac system is situated remotely or offsite, removing the need for waste collection trucks to enter the development. “If trucks don’t come into the development, it reduces the number of trucks on the road and the risk of accidents with pedestrians or other vehicles,” comments Mitchell. “One of our biggest environmental savings is the reduction in the reliance on transport.”

Previous studies have shown that Envac’s systems have consequently reduced waste traffic and associated carbon emissions by up to 90%.

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GIFT CITY Envac’s 10-year project at Gujarat International Finance and Technology City (GIFT City) in India has seen the development of its first integrated collection and segregation facility.

Eliminating potential waste from landfill, the project will transform the area and ultimately attract financial and technological investment upon completion, in a bid to become one of India’s smart cities.

Envac’s waste collection systems are on the rise in both the Middle East and Asia, especially within housing developments. “In India for example, it is difficult for us to sell a system if it doesn’t include a treatment technology as well, so we sell a holistic approach, otherwise it just doesn’t stack up,” says Mitchell.

“We also find in the Middle East, for substantial development projects, that with increasing population density, municipal regulation and zero waste targets, the economics of pneumatically collecting waste and treating the waste on site are becoming more viable. Globally, I think waste management has gained a

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higher profile over the last ten years.”

Phase one of the GIFT City project is now complete, with phase two now underway. The project will see Envac’s waste system incorporated into a new district, encompassing hospitals, schools, hotels, retail and corporate facilities, all spread over 900 acres. Similar to KAFD, the project has become one of the most ambitious and technologically advanced infrastructure projects that Envac is in the process of undertaking, where its systems will cater for up to 400 tons of waste per day.

Sustainable practices have been at the forefront of all Envac’s designs. Two chute inlets enable valuable resources to be recovered from the wet organic waste at GIFT City, whereas dry waste enters a mechanical sorting process.

Bottles, cans, paper and plastic will all be segregated out of the waste stream and placed within a recycling stream at every collection station.

Eventually, up to seven collection stations will be built at GIFT City, removing any need for waste collection trucks to enter the area.

MIDDLE EAST

“The system’s ability to revolutionise the waste collection process, from making the development cleaner and more hygienic by eliminating overfull bins, to making the area safer and more environmentally friendly by removing large trucks from the waste collection process - all whilst reducing the cost of waste collection - is extraordinary,” comments Ajay Pandey, Managing Director and Group CEO at GIFT City.

Additionally, security is a key issue within Envac’s waste management systems as the sealed system offers a secure pathway for waste to leave a site without the need for any trucks.

These systems are highly desirable in a majority of Envac’s projects, especially within airports where Envac handles waste from the terminals (e.g.

Hamad International Airport in Doha) and from flight catering operations (e.g. Emirates Flight Catering in Dubai).

In many projects in Europe, Envac has implemented tracking technologies, providing advanced analytics and providing greater insights into the efficiency of its systems. Waste is placed in inlets, which are able to

Envac’s bins automatically empty underground

“THE SYSTEM’S ABILITY TO REVOLUTIONISE THE WASTE COLLECTION PROCESS... ALL WHILST REDUCING THE COST OF WASTE COLLECTION - IS EXTRAORDINARY” AJAY PANDEY MD and Group CEO at GIFT City

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Envac’s underground waste management system

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be tracked through the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFD) tags. Accessible only by authorised users, Mitchell explains that “once scanned, the inlet will open for users to deposit their waste, which falls down onto the discharge valve which have inbuilt weighing systems.”

“In future, a charging scheme could be implemented to further incentivise users to recycle more and dispose of less garbage,” creating sufficient cost controls and reduced fuel costs for businesses.

OUTDOOR SPACES To further support this global smart city vision, traditional waste litter bins on local streets have also been modernised, making all waste management accessible, convenient and low-cost in order to encourage individuals to support Envac’s operations. Whilst outdoor inlets and high capacity litter bins resemble traditional bins, the updated designs enable the bins to connect to Envac’s systems underground so that “they are emptied automatically,

ensuring that no truck has to go to the street to empty them,” adds Mitchell. “They can handle waste from pedestrians or facilities management service contractors, creating cleaner, more hygienic spaces.

“We also have systems in Singapore that operate as low as 250 to 500kg of waste per day, all the way up to systems which collect 400 tonnes of waste a day. We have a wide range so there is a lot of versatility.”

An aggressive five-year expansion plan will consequently enable Envac to drive further competition in the delivery of waste management solutions, and grow in alignment with this global demand for smart technologies.

“There are other companies that offer similar technologies, but we don’t have as much competition as we would like.

I think any industry thrives with a bit of competition,” concludes Mitchell.

“I think the market could do with more companies coming into it and as a result, more appreciation and understanding of the technology and as that happens, more opportunities become available as well.”

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ELECTRIFYING

TANZANIA

Wr i t ten by N el l Wal ker Produced by G reg Churchil l

Nigel Whittaker, Managing Director of Songas, explains how the company is supplying much-needed energy to Tanzania

“

It’s very important for everybody to have access to reliable electricity, and I think that Africa generally suffers in comparison with the rest of the world.”

Nigel Whittaker, Managing Director of Songas, holds these beliefs that mirror those of his company and its parent company, Globeleq. Songas is a major player in the electricity sector for Tanzania, and has been since it became operational in 2004. The company uses natural gas from Songo Songo Island and processes it on location, before transporting it along a 225km pipeline to the Ubungo Power Plant in Dar es Salaam, owned and operated by Songas. The gas is then converted into electricity which is sold cheaply to TANESCO to sell on to its customers.

In a nation which relies heavily on

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hydroelectric power via precious water supplies which are subject to droughts, and expensive fuel oil must be imported, Songas’s presence is a necessity.

“Only around 30% of people in Tanzania have access to electricity, but the government has a plan to increase the industrialisation of the country,” says Whittaker. “In order for that to happen, reliable electricity needs to be available so that industry can thrive.

“Currently there’s about 1,100MW of electricity available in Tanzania, and the government wants to increase that to 5,000MW, to develop industrialisation and improve access to electricity. We support that. We want to be a part

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SONGAS LIMITED

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of that programme, because we’re we’re constantly generating,” part of the solution in Tanzania.” explains Whittaker. “We are Whittaker has 35 years of running 24/7, and our electricity experience in energy, including is the cheapest thermal generator 25 in power generation. Having in East Africa; we sell to TANESCO worked for big industry names like at about six cents a kilowatt.”

Powergen, E.ON, and Sumitomo, This not only benefits citizens Whittaker took on his current role wanting electricity from a clean, with Songas in 2015, and reliable, cost-effective has been applying source, but ensures his expertise to the that Songas remains well-established a top choice as a company ever supplier. Globeleq, since this time. one of Songas’ When Songas’ shareholders, is business began, dedicated to power Number of it was the only development employees at Songas gas fired generator in Africa in the country and it and works supplied between 30-50% hard to supply of the electricity in Tanzania. While electricity on the continent, it is more like 25%, the company a known driver for social and remains an extremely important economic development. part of the local electricity Using Tanzanian gas, Songas generation sector. This is due in can continue to provide electricity part to its very high availability more economically than the fuel (98%) and a load factor of 92%. oil generators which have to import “Songas is very important to the gas into the country; this has Tanzania because it’s reliable and saved Tanzania billions of US dollars

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Industrial gas turbine SGT-800 Power generation: 47.5-54 MW(e) 47.5 MW Version Gross efficiency: 37.7% Heat rate: 9,547 kJ/kWh (9,084 btu/kWh) Turbine speed: 6,608 rpm Pressure ratio: 20.1:1 Exhaust mass flow: 132.8 kg/s (292.8 lb/s) Exhaust temperature: 541°C (1,007°F)

50.5 MW Version Gross efficiency: 38.3% Heat rate: 9,389 kJ/kWh (8,899 btu/kWh) Turbine speed: 6,608 rpm Pressure ratio: 21.0:1 Exhaust mass flow: 134.2 kg/s (295.8 lb/s) Exhaust temperature: 553°C (1,027°F)

54.0 MW Version Gross efficiency: 39.1% Heat rate: 9,206 kJ/kWh (8,725 btu/kWh) Turbine speed: 6,608 rpm Pressure ratio: 21.4:1 Exhaust mass flow: 135.5 kg/s (298.7 lb/s) Exhaust temperature: 563°C (1,045°F)

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Siemens gas turbines are precisely designed to master the dynamic African energy market environment. Low lifecycle costs and an excellent return on investment right from the start are just two of the benefits that Siemens gas turbine portfolio offers.

Mark Van Antwerp, Vice President of Power & Gas Sales for Southern and Eastern Africa at Siemens says: “Our gas turbines fulfil the high requirements of a wide spectrum of applications in terms of efficiency, reliability, flexibility and environmental compatibility. There has been a major shift in the market from centralised power generation to distributed generation. At Siemens we believe that this is a trend much to the benefit of Africa as the electrification levels are still low. One of our innovative products is the SGT-800. This machine is getting a lot of attention in the continent primarily because it offers broad flexibility in fuels, operating conditions, maintenance concepts, package solutions, and ratings.”

The excellent efficiency and steam-raising capability make it outstanding in cogeneration and combined cycle installations. The SGT-800-based power plant, designed for flexible operation, is perfectly suited as grid support. The SGT-800 combines a simple, robust design, for high reliability and easy maintenance, with high efficiency and low emissions. With more than 300 units sold and over 4 million equivalent operating hours, it is an excellent choice for the African markets.

Matthieu Cecillon, Vice President of Application Engineering for Sub-Saharan

Africa at Siemens says: “The Siemens SGT-800 gas turbine is available in three versions with power output of 47.5, 50.5 and 54.0 MW respectively. The gas turbine combines a robust, reliable design with high efficiency and low emissions. This makes it an ideal choice for municipal and industrial power generation, refineries, and the oil and gas industry. Its high exhaust energy content makes the Siemens SGT800 particularly well suited for combined heat and power and combined-cycle applications. Reliability, environmental compatibility, and low lifecycle costs are the key features of the Siemens SGT-800: With up to 60,000 operating hours (EOH) between major overhauls, low maintenance costs, and an excellent electrical efficiency, the Siemens machine achieves the lowest lifecycle costs and the best combinedcycle efficiency within its class.”

The Siemens SGT-800 is a single-shaft machine with 15 compressor stages. The first three stages have variable guide vanes.

To minimize leakage over the blade tips, abradable seals are applied to stages four to fifteen. The three-stage turbine is built as one module and is bolted to the compressor shaft to provide for easy maintenance. The turbine stator flanges are air-cooled to reduce running clearances and improve efficiency.

The overall design of the Siemens SGT-800 gas turbine ensures easy service access to the combustor and the burners. The cold end of the gas turbine is connected to the generator via a reduction gear unit; this reduces the turbine speed from 6,600 rpm down to 1,500/1,800 rpm. The Siemens SGT-800 gas turbines are equipped with Dry Low Emissions (DLE) combustion system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The combustion system is designed to operate on both gas and liquid fuels and it’s capable of on-line switchover between fuels.

SONGAS LIMITED

since its operations began in 2004. Songas uses reliable infrastructure which means that there is no need to constantly update its technology.

“The company has not changed a lot since we went operational in 2004,” says Whittaker. “Prior to that there was a lot of time and effort involved in developing the gas process and the building of the pipeline, upgrading the old plant by converting it to gas, and adding new units. Since then the plant has been running in a stable operation.”

While stability is something to aspire to, it can never be quite enough when a business can do so much more and with its excellent service in a nation with low rates of electricity consumption. So how can Songas keep doing what it’s doing, but do more of it?

The challenges for Songas are external, and things which will take time to change. Both TANESCO and the Tanzanian government are dealing with struggles which affect Songas, but Whittaker is hopeful.

“The government is hoping to organise a financial package with the World Bank which will alleviate TANESCO’s financial issues, making it financially viable going forward,” he says.

“We’re anxious to see the outcome because it’s important not just for companies like Songas, but the whole financial electricity sector generally.”

Songas is developing a plan to upgrade two of

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“Songas is a thriving business, it runs very well, the plant performance is very good, and the electricity price is low. We think we’ve been a fantastic asset for Tanzania” Nigel Whittaker, Managing Director

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SONGAS LIMITED

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its six units which will enable it to produce more electricity. It’s simpler for the company to upgrade existing units, as the site contain all of the necessary infrastructure already, than to build entirely new facilities, and generation capacity could increase from 180MW to 240MW if the government grants approval.

“Songas is a thriving business, it runs very well, the plant performance is very good, and the electricity price is low. We think we’ve been a fantastic asset for Tanzania. Pan African Energy Tanzania (PAET) recently put some calculations in the newspaper saying that Songo Songo Island gas has saved the Tanzanian government $6.2bn since operations began – money that would otherwise have been spent on producing the same amount of energy with imported fuels. So Songas has been very successful, not just for the shareholders but for Tanzania as a whole.” 54% of Songas’ shares are held by Globeleq and 46% are held by the Government of Tanzania through holdings by

TANESCO, TDC and TDFL. Songas sees a future in which its generating capacity is expanded by about 30%, and its parent company, Globeleq, is extremely interested in pursuing other power development projects as soon as it gets the go-ahead. The gas at Songo Songo Island is sufficient to meet the needs of Songas’s future growth, and the infrastructure is not fully utilised. So while Songas does have to wait for precisely the right environment and the necessary approval, the future certainly looks bright.

“There are enough resources on Songo Songo Island for us to introduce, improve, and increase electricity generation,” Whittaker concludes. “Tanzania will be a very interesting market for us once we can see there’s some stability returned to the electricity sector here.”

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INTEVI

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