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26
ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
Aug/Sept 2011 www.esb.ie/em
Life and Times of an ESBI Engineer
ESBI
Ian Whitehead talks to us about his role as Plant Manager at Rousch Power Plant, Pakistan
HAVING COMPLETING HIS BSc in Engineering, Ian’s career started in power station construction and commissioning, and in 1996 he joined ESBI as a shift manager at Corby Power in England.
After 10 years at Corby, Ian took on the role of production manager at Rousch Power Plant, Pakistan. In 2007, he was promoted to plant manager and he is responsible for operation of the plant and management of 72 staff.
He says, “The role of Plant Manager is varied, and in addition to planned activities, each day usually brings something unexpected. The plant manager is the point of contact for the plant owner (RPPL) so it could be anything from a technical or commercial matter, to outage planning, meeting stakeholders or members of the local community”.
“I have been lucky to be given opportunities to demonstrate my skills and abilities,” says Ian. “My responsibilities include the technical performance and safe management of everybody within the power plant. During my time at Rousch, we have significantly increased the reliability of the plant by safely reducing the forced outage rate. I am very proud to have managed the team who have achieved this success. I have also played a key role in the development of relationships between the Rousch site team and the engineering team in Dublin who provide specialist engineering support.
“Outside of work my biggest achievement, along with Kathy my wife, has been the ability to guide and support our three children through university.”
For over 40 years Ian has taken part in orienteering and really enjoys the physical and mental challenge it provides. “We also play football together here in Rousch five times a week, which helps with social interaction and keeps us fit,” Ian said.
Ian spent all his working life in the UK before moving to Pakistan and he comments, “So, I was very sheltered from ‘life outside’. It was certainly a culture shock when I arrived at Rousch, but I readily adapted to the change. It has given me the chance to travel to places I’ve only ever read about. The only downside is missing my wife Kathy, and my three children Emma, Jessica and Alex.”
iMiEV fully charged at Stephen Court
ESBEI marks Africa Day
ESB Energy International
AFRICA DAY, WHICH falls on 25th May each year, was celebrated in Stephen Court with lunchtime presentations hosted by ElectricAid. There were two guest presentations from Irish NGOs, Self-Help Africa and Vita, and a presentation on the African experiences of an ElectricAid member.
The aim of Africa Day is to celebrate the diversity and potential of Africa and increase awareness of Ireland’s many links with the continent. Africa Day also offers an opportunity to celebrate the heritage and identity of African communities living in Ireland and to raise public awareness of Irish Aid, the Irish Government’s overseas development programme.
Tina Pittock, representing ElectricAid, gave a short overview of priority funding areas and the 93 projects funded by the ESB staff charity in Africa In 2010. she also highlighted the generosity of ElectricAid members, ESB and EirGrid in funding these projects. Tina illustrated with photographs the impressive ElectricAid Ghanaian educational projects including the current Osu School Refurbishment Project and the completed Teshie and Kaneshie projects.
Miriam Enright from Self Help Africa presented on sustainable farming projects in Burkina Faso, while John Weakliam from Vita spoke about empowering locals to build clean and efficient cooking stoves in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Kenya. Both NGOs had very positive stories to tell about their ElectricAid-funded projects on the African continent.
Cera Slevin, an ElectricAid member, spoke of her African volunteering experience in the Kitovu Health Care Complex in Uganda and she discussed the ElectricAid-funded projects carried out at the complex that have significantly improved the service that the hospital provides.
Chief Executive Padraig McManus commended all presenters on their great work and applauded the positive impact ElectricAid has in Africa.
O2O Cycle Team says thanks
ESBI
THE SECOND ESB Energy International 265km Office-to-Office charity cycle from Dublin to Cork took place on 24th June. Nine cyclists from ESBEI and two guests took part, supported by a car and motorbike driven by ESBI staff. As everyone offered their own time and paid their own expenses, all funds raised went directly to Down syndrome Ireland (Cork), this year’s nominated charity.
The day turned out to be extremely wet, windy and cold, making the ultra-marathon distance a real challenge. Leaving Kilkenny after lunch in truly miserable conditions was a big struggle. However, the team stayed remarkably positive and up-beat all day and, once they were cycling, managed to stay warm.
Starting off from Dublin just before 7am, the route took the team south through Naas, Kilcullen, Athy, Castlecomer, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Ardfinnan, Clogheen, Mitchelstown, and Fermoy, before arriving in Cork. Cycling time was just under 10 hours, with the team reaching their destination at 8:30pm. The website where the team’s position was broadcast live from the road was a huge success. “We received lots of text messages throughout the day, which encouraged us enormously. In fact, several people joined us on the road for bits of the route, as they were able to track where we were,” said Jason Bane of ESBEI Generation.
Mark Lyons of ESBI added, “Our time in the saddle raised the remarkable sum of € 6,215.50 for DSI (Cork).
We would like to sincerely thank everyone that donated or followed us and we look forward to next year’s event.”
