Didier Holleaux on ENGIE’s role in driving new initiatives and innovation, while harnessing the power of digitalisation to transform the energy landscape in Asia.
1. How is ENGIE driving new energy initiatives and innovation in Asia?
There are three ways whereby ENGIE is driving new energy initiatives and innovation in the region – through our commitment to offering energy-as-a-service, strategic collaborations with strong local players, and investments in green energy solutions.
As a global leader in low carbon energy and services, we leverage on our expertise in climate, electrical, energy, mechanical and industrial engineering to offer energy-as-a-service, which helps organisations accelerate their energy transition towards a zero-carbon footprint. We are rolling out digital technology solutions to support new urban infrastructures, smarter buildings and more eco-friendly industrial production.
We also believe in accelerating the energy transition through partnerships with strong local players that can bring diverse experiences and localise the skills we have gained from our global presence. In the Philippines, for instance, we are partnering with Filinvest to develop solar energy rooftop and district cooling systems for local customers. This allows customers to save up to 30 percent of their energy spend while reducing their carbon footprint and increasing grid reliability.
2. What are ENGIE’s plans to become a leading service provider to facilitate the zero-carbon transition?
ENGIE is a pioneer in the zero-carbon energy transition. Over the last three years, ENGIE has undergone a thorough transformation by focusing our development on activities such as renewable energy efficiency, with an increased emphasis and acceleration on customer solutions. While focusing on these key areas, we are also placing importance on digital solutions and looking at new areas such as innovative start-ups that are aligned to our strategy. We empower them with world-changing ideas by not only investing in them but also by giving them access to work with the experts at ENGIE to develop their ideas.
3. Can you share more about the District Cooling System in Punggol Digital District and the role it will play in Singapore’s energy sector?
The world is increasingly urban, and we are expecting 75 percent of the world’s population to be living in cities soon. That’s why ENGIE is committed to helping cities reduce their carbon footprint while meeting citizens’ need for comfort such as air conditioning. One effective and sustainable way to achieve this is through district cooling, which harnesses renewable energy sources such as solar or waste heat from industrial processes. Compared to individual air-conditioners, it is generally twice more efficient.
The Punggol District Cooling project is one of our most interesting projects, as it is the first district in Singapore to adopt a single integrated masterplan approach that brings together a business park, a university and community facilities. The inter-connected district cooling system plants will be designed by ENGIE to serve JTC and Singapore Institute of Technology’s development, as well as the community facilities. It will allow the district to centralise cooling needs and cut its energy consumption.
4. How can the industry harness digitalisation to further collaboration between energy players?
While growth in electronic devices usage increases energy consumption, digitalisation technology can also bring about energy efficiency. This process can be sped up if companies could collaborate to complement each other’s abilities. In Singapore, for instance, ENGIE partnered with Unabiz in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) to deploy over 100 energy-efficient IoT sensors that provide KKH with remote temperature and humidity monitoring capability. Located in critical areas such as intensive care units, outpatient clinics, patient wards and pharmacies, these low-powered sensors have enabled KKH to automate its 24-hour temperature monitoring. This allows staff to focus on more strategic tasks, avail more time to patient care, and enable KKH to boost its energy efficiency.
I expect there to be more impactful collaborations in the healthcare, manufacturing or even other sectors going forward.
5. The theme for SIEW 2019 is Accelerating Energy Transformation. What do you look forward to being discussed at SIEW this year?
We have seen how organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of going green. In fact, more and more firms are coming to us to find a way to embark on a sustainable journey. As the adoption of sustainable solutions take root, the conversation needs to shift to how this process can be accelerated. This year’s SIEW theme is well chosen, and I look forward to seeing more environmental innovations and hearing more breakthrough ideas on how the world and particularly Asia can speed up its move toward a zero-carbon future.
About Didier Holleaux, Executive Vice President, ENGIE
After graduating as an Engineer (Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole Nationale des Mines de Paris), Didier Holleaux started to work as an Engineer in the car-manufacturing and in the oil industry. He then made a career in the French Civil Service which led him to the position of the head of the departmental staff (“Directeur de Cabinet”) of the Energy Minister (1992-1993).
Didier Holleaux joined Gaz de France (merged in GDF SUEZ in 2008 and renamed as ENGIE in 2015), in 1993.
Since then, he held different managing positions in the transmission, distribution, and LNG businesses of the company. He also founded and managed the UK North Sea Exploration and Production subsidiary of the Group, GDF Britain (now GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd) (1997-2000).
He has been managing the Exploration and Production since March 2007 and Chief Executive Officer of GDF SUEZ E&P International SA, the ENGIE E&P worldwide activity holding company, from 2010 until 2015.
Since 1st of July 2015, he is Executive Vice President of ENGIE. He is currently in charge of Asia-Pacific region, Infrastructures in France and the supervision of all group's gas and electricity network activities.