CURRICULUM VITAE

Chris Louw

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Personal particulars

Name

Date of birth

Nationality

Education

Current employer

Position

Contact details

Chris Louw

* ***** ****

South African

B.Sc. in mechanical engineering, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, 1990

Shanahan Engineering (based at GNPower Kauswagan, Mindanao, Philippines)

Turn-over Manager

email: addb43@r.postjobfree.com; mobile: +66-900******; Skype: chris.louw50

Summary

I have more than 25 years technical and managerial skills and experience in two interrelated fields in the power generation industry: (1) Operations and Maintenance management; (2) Project Development and Management.

Starting my career in technical roles in operations, mechanical and project engineering and growing into progressively more senior managerial roles, I have been on the sharp point of responsibility, taking care of people, assets and budgets since my early 30s.

Recent career highlights (past 3 years)

Managed the replacement of the Chinese operations and maintenance contractor with the company’s own operations and maintenance teams. Responsible for designing and implementing the organisation structure, recruiting, integrating and training approximately 50 HSE, operations and maintenance staff and managing the process of developing and implementing safety, operations and maintenance procedures. A total of 120 O&M contractor staff was replaced by 70 expat and Cambodian national staff.

Completed a major overhaul on one of the units, in under 35 days, with the following scope: full boiler scaffold; major furnace and backpass refractory and pressure parts repairs; steam turbine and generator major overhaul; inspections and repairs to BoP and ancillary systems; recommissioning and testing of all systems; performance testing. The outage was planned, managed and executed by the fresh CEL O&M team.

Established the maintenance philosophy and supporting management systems, encompassing planned inspections of all equipment and planned inspection and maintenance intervals of major equipment under a 5 year rolling plan.

Built up the company’s own procurement function from a point where all spare parts and contractor services were sourced through the O&M contractor, to a point where all spares and services are sourced directly from the Chinese OEMs and other regional suppliers.

Managed the defect and warranty claim process against the EPC contractor. The process went into arbitration, before the claim was settled by the EPC contractor.

Turned a small, Chinese-built and Chinese-managed power station, with limited resources, in a developing country, into a business approaching Western standards.

Key skills and experience

1. Power station operations and maintenance management

I have more than of 20 years hands-on operating and maintenance experience at mechanical engineer/process engineer/production superintendent/plant manager/ general manager level of all aspects of managing thermal power stations.

2. Business management

Experienced in managing a business in terms of profit and loss, budgets, business risk, strategic planning and resource allocation; experienced in dealing with and managing external and internal stakeholders.

3. Project development and management

I have led, or formed part of teams, for several greenfield and brownfield expansions, new-built projects and feasibility studies. I have experience in working for EPC contractors, directly for the Owner/Developer or as a Project Management Consultant on several high-value projects.

4. Working with Chinese and Korean EPC contractors, equipment suppliers and O&M contractors

I have experience in dealing with Chinese and Korean suppliers and contractors, managing the attendant risks and being perceptive of cultural nuances.

5. Dealing with commercial and contractual issues

I am experienced in managing commercial claims against the EPC contractor, dealing with lawyers and leading claims resolution processes up to arbitration, management of EPC and O&M contracts and managing Power Purchase Agreements and Coal Supply Agreements.

6. International experience

Apart from South Africa, where I gained most of my experience, I completed assignments in Argentina, the UAE, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and Cambodia. While working with local and expatriate staff and management, I reported to management teams based in the UK, Singapore, Europe, Japan and Malaysia.

7. Knowledge of power station engineering and design

I have in-depth knowledge of most aspects of thermal power station design and engineering and I'm able to engage with discipline engineers on a one-to-one basis.

8. Commissioning, starting-up and bringing facilities into commercial operation

I have led the commissioning for several power stations, and other types for industrial plant, and I have experience of planning and managing commissioning schedules and activities and developing staffing and training plans.

Employment details

Current position: February 2019

Turn-over Manager for Shanahan Engineering, based at GNPower Kauswagan, Mindanao, Philippines.

Shanahan Engineering has a Performance Management Contract with GNPower Kauswagan to manage late-stage construction, commissioning and handing over to commercial operations of a 4 x 150 MW coal fired station.

This is a distressed project, executed by a Chinese EPC contractor. The project is approximately 300 days behind schedule and the Owner has contracted with Shanahan to provide construction and commissioning management services.

My responsibilities are:

Coordinating the construction and commissioning activities of the EPC contractor.

Planning and coordinating with the Owner’s Operations and Maintenance team to achieve a smooth and successful take-over into commercial operations.

Responsible for all activities to ensure a successful transition from construction to commissioning to operations.

Previous position: February 2015 to November 2018

General Manager for Cambodian Energy Limited (CEL), based in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. CEL is a subsidiary of HNG Capital of Malaysia.

General Manger for a coal-fired power station supplying power to the Cambodian national grid. The net rated capacity is 2 x 50 MW.

Main equipment are two circulating fluidised bed boilers, two steam turbines and the associated balance of plant such as demin water treatment, coal and ash handling, compressed air supply, cooling water system and HV switchyard.

My responsibilities are:

Profit and loss for the business.

Managing the power station and meeting financial, production, safety and other performance targets.

Managing contracts such as the power purchase agreement and the fuel supply agreement.

Leading and directing staff through strategic, maintenance, operations and budget planning sessions.

Preparing and managing capex, operating and maintenance budgets and forecasts.

Cost control and plant optimization.

Dealing with external stakeholders (suppliers and contractors, government, statutory and regulatory, etc).

Preparing and implementing systems and procedures (HR, maintenance, HSE, O&M, etc).

Training, mentoring and skills transfer to the local Cambodian and expat staff.

Supervising, mentoring and motivating staff, conducting performance evaluations, job interviews and disciplinary enquiries.

Planning and co-coordinating maintenance shut-downs, major plant shut-downs and start-ups and production schedules.

Previous position: September 2014 to February 2015

Power Station Manager for Mondi Pulp and Paper, based in Richards Bay, South Africa

Directed and led plant operations and maintenance for a cogeneration power station supplying power and steam to the company’s pulp and paper mills. The installed capacity is 120 MW (from three steam turbines and one gas turbine) and 500 t/h steam.

Main equipment includes three coal fired boilers, as well as two black liquor recovery boilers. Balance of plant systems such as demin water treatment, black liquor evaporation plants, fuel and ash handling, compressed air supply, cooling water systems and electrical distribution are also under my responsibility.

My responsibilities were:

Managing the section and meeting production, safety and other performance targets.

Leading and directing staff through strategic, maintenance, operations and budget planning sessions.

Managing SHE programs, including detailed knowledge of lock-out systems, plant isolation procedures and conducting risk assessments.

Preparing and managing capex, operating and maintenance budgets and forecasts.

Cost control and plant optimization.

Directing and guiding process engineering staff in debottlenecking and troubleshooting the plant.

Dealing with external stakeholders (suppliers and contractors, government, statutory and regulatory, etc).

Preparing and implementing systems and procedures (HR, planned maintenance, shift, O&M, etc).

Previous position: January 2014 to September 2014

Power Plant Lead for Foster Wheeler France, based in Sharjah, UAE

Foster Wheeler France was contracted to provide Project Management Consultancy services, during the FEED stage, for a petrochemical project based in Kazakhstan. The project comprised a gas separation plant, interconnecting gas transmission lines and a petrochemical processing facility in a second location. Each site was designed to be served by an embedded power station (60 MW and 250 MW respectively).

As a member of the Integrated Project Management Team, who managed the project on behalf of the Client, I served as technical and project management consultant for all aspects (mechanical, electrical, C&I, operation, etc) relating to power generation. I was responsible to supervise and manage the engineering work of the EPC contractor on behalf of the Client. The EPC Consortium was Petrofac/GS E&C/Linde and the owner is KLPE.

Specific responsibilities were:

Lead, monitor and control the EPC Contractor’s activities related to the imbedded power stations, utilities (such as water treatment and cooling water supply and distribution) and main gas transmission pipelines to ensure an effective plant design and technical compliance to the Client’s specifications.

Consult and advise the Owner on matters related to the above.

Liaise with the Engineering Manager to support studies and risk assessments trough project life cycles such as HAZOP and design review meetings.

Previous position: September 2013 to January 2014

Commissioning Manager for Poyry Energy, based at Cambodian Energy Limited in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Responsible to supervise and manage the commissioning activities and performance and acceptance testing for a 100 MW circulating fluidised bed coal fired plant on behalf of the Plant Owner. The Owner’s commissioning team reported to me and I provided technical support to the Owner’s O&M team.

The project is based in Sihanoukville in Cambodia and comprise of two 50 MW units. The EPC contractor was China Huadian Engineering and the Owner is Cambodian Energy Limited.

Previous position: June 2011 to May 2013

Technical Project Manager for Marubeni Corporation, based in Bangkok, Thailand

Responsible for the technical project management of an 800 MW CCGT project. The project was executed under an EPC contract by a Marubeni/Siemens AG consortium. The Owner is EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand). Included in the Marubeni scope is the HV switchyard, MV and LV switchgear, main transformers, HRSGs, cooling water and water treatment systems, all civil works, buildings and structures and all other BoP systems. Marubeni was responsible for the engineering and equipment supply relating to their scope and all construction and erection activities.

I led a project team that was responsible for:

Concept and basic design of equipment packages, equipment specification and selection and managing the equipment suppliers.

Planning and managing the engineering process and the main engineering contractor.

Managing the interfaces and scope between equipment suppliers and the Consortium Partner.

Planning and managing the construction and erection activities and managing various construction and engineering contractors.

Dealing with the Client on all technical and engineering matters.

Negotiating and managing construction and equipment supply contracts.

Planning and execution of engineering and construction activities.

Managing equipment and engineering suppliers and contractors.

Previous position: February 2010 to June 2011

Technical Manager for Prana Energy, based in Johannesburg, South Africa

Prana Energy is in the business to develop, operate and maintain on-site, small-capacity cogeneration power stations for industrial clients. Typical technologies and applications included:

Generation from natural gas, using either IC engines or gas turbines.

Generation from furnace off-gas, using IC engines.

Waste heat recovery from hot flue gas streams using HRSGs.

My responsibilities were:

Preparing and managing feasibility and engineering studies.

Preparing capex cost estimates for equipment and construction works.

Preparing operating and maintenance budgets and forecasts.

Providing the relevant input into financial models and assist with model development.

Managing clients, equipment suppliers and design engineers.

Previous position: September 2009 to February 2010

Power Station Manager for Asia Pacific Resources International, based in Kerinci, Sumatra, Indonesia

I directed and led plant operations and maintenance for a cogeneration power station supplying power and steam to the company’s pulp and paper mills. The installed capacity is 550 MW (from seven steam turbines) and 3000 t/h steam generation at 80 and 140 bar.

Main equipment includes three coal fired boilers, (combined capacity of 1100 t/h) as well as five black liquor recovery boilers. Balance of plant systems such as raw water and demin water treatment, black liquor evaporation plants, fuel and ash handling, compressed air supply, cooling water systems and electrical distribution were also under my responsibility.

My responsibilities were:

Managing the section and meeting production, safety and other performance targets.

Leading and directing staff through strategic, maintenance, operations and budget planning sessions.

Managing SHE programs, including detailed knowledge of lock-out systems, plant isolation procedures and conducting risk assessments.

Preparing and managing capex, operating and maintenance budgets and forecasts.

Short and long-term maintenance planning.

Cost control and optimization,

Directing and guiding process engineering staff in debottlenecking and troubleshooting the plant.

Dealing with external stakeholders (suppliers and contractors, government, statutory and regulatory, etc).

Preparing and implementing systems and procedures (HR, planned maintenance, shift, O&M, etc).

Supervising the commissioning of a 1000 t/h recovery boiler.

An important part of my job was training, mentoring and skills transfer to the local Indonesian staff.

Previous position: October 2006 to September 2009

Power Station Manager for Independent Power Southern Africa (IPSA), based in Newcastle, South Africa. IPSA is a subsidiary of Independent Power Corporation, based in the UK.

I led all aspects of the construction, commissioning and O&M phases of an 18 MW combined cycle gas turbine project (two gas turbines, two fired HRSGs, steam turbine, water treatment, electrical distribution and steam distribution to commercial customers). This was the first combined cycle power project to be developed by the private sector in South Africa.

I reported to the IPSA board in London, while a staff compliment of 13 reported to me. During this period I was on the board of directors of Newcastle Cogeneration Pty Ltd (the South African operating company). I was the only IPSA employee in South Africa, with full accountability for all aspects of plant operations, maintenance and commercial issues, including dealing with external customers, budgets, commercial, regulatory, operations and maintenance issues.

Specific responsibilities were:

Planning and managing the engineering, construction, erection and commissioning activities during the construction and pre-operational phase of the plant.

Managing the transition from commissioning to commercial operations.

Managing the business and meeting production, safety and other performance targets.

Implementing and managing SHE programs, including detailed knowledge of lock-out systems, plant isolation procedures and conducting risk assessments.

Preparing and managing operating and maintenance budgets and forecasts.

Short and long-term maintenance planning.

Dealing with external stakeholders (suppliers and contractors, external clients, the national grid, government, statutory and regulatory, etc).

Preparing and implementing systems and procedures (HR, planned maintenance, shift, O&M, etc).

In 2009, while employed by IPSA, I was seconded to supervise the commissioning of a 130 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant in Argentina and to manage commercial and commissioning issues at a 60 MW open cycle plant in the UAE. Both these plants are owned by Independent Power Corporation.

Previous position: October 1995 to October 2006

Power Station Manager/Production Manager/Process Engineer for Mondi Pulp and Paper, based in Richards Bay, South Africa

In 2002 I was promoted to Power Station Manager. From July 2000 to November 2002 I was the Power Station Production Manager and my first position at Mondi was that of Process Engineer (1995 to 2000).

I was responsible for the operation and maintenance of a cogeneration power station supplying power and steam to the company’s pulp and paper mills. The installed capacity of the plant is 80 MW (from two steam turbines and one gas turbine) and 400 t/h steam generation. The plant comprised of three coal fired boilers and two black liquor recovery boilers. Balance of plant systems such as demin water treatment, black liquor evaporation plants, fuel and ash handling, compressed air supply, cooling water systems and electrical distribution were also under my responsibility.

My specific responsibilities of this position were similar to my positions at APRIL and IPSA.

I was on the project team, representing the Owner and leading the power station’s teams, for various major projects, including the installation of a combined cycle gas turbine plant in 2006, an evaporation plant in 2004 and a recovery boiler in 1999.

Previous position: January 1992 to October 1995

Power Station Project Engineer for Sasol Chemical Industries in Sasolburg, South Africa

I was responsible for the design and construction of heat exchangers, piping systems and pressure vessels, and the implementation of smaller projects. After completing my training program I transferred to the power station section where I joined the project-based maintenance team who was responsible for major overhauls on the boilers and turbines.

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