One major presence at the Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum was the ESB's international consulting arm, which made a presentation on the subject of renewables.

ESB International has been busy in Asia and notched up some successes over the years. Last week it announced four new contracts spanning Malaysia, Burma (Myanmar) and the Philippines.

"Asia is a major focus for ESB International, and a big part of our growth plans for the coming years," said Ollie Brogan, managing director at ESB International.

“From our direct experience as the engineering arm of Ireland’s leading utility, ESB, we can assist companies to modernise, develop, plan and invest in their energy businesses,” Brogan added.

First in Burma

The Burma contract is ESB International’s first in the country, which has been opening up as part of an ongoing process of political reform.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group), together with the Yangon City Electricity Supply Board (YESB), chose ESB International to act as technical advisor for the proposed corporatisation of YESB. This is the main electricity distribution company in the Yangon region.

The ESBI will identify investment needs and offer consultancy advice on supporting reliable electricity supply and sharply rising electricity demands in the region will also be part of the scope of the project.

In Malaysia, two contracts valued at more than €1 million involve reviewing the electricity sector in the state of Sabah.

In the Philippines, ESB International has won a contract with Meralco FPM. ESB International will advise the utility company on the building of a new pump storage tower.

The Irish group has first- hand knowledge of this form its involvement in an Irish pump storage power plant in Turlough Hill, which is owned by parent company ESB.