Meet Cheng Lee, who works to deliver reliable supply of power to the people of Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and East Malaysia.
As the Functional General Manager Power & Energy SEA since 2014, Mr Cheng Lee is responsible for growing SMEC’s power and energy business in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Mr Lee has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry and is based in Kuala Lumpur.
From October 2018, Mr Lee has undertaken the role as Team Leader (and as Senior Transmission and Distribution Engineer) on the Papua New Guinea Power Sector Investment Programme.
The programme is funded by the Asian Development Bank with estimated capital expenditure of US$300 million. The PNG project is on-going, and Mr Lee is leading a multi-disciplinary team consisting of an engineer, a finance and economic analyst, a procurement specialist, and a social and environment safeguard. Other projects he has worked on are the Large-Scale Solar Farm Grid Connection Studies and the Sarawak Bintulu Railway Project in Malaysia and the New Clark City Power Distribution Project in the Philippines.
He has extensive experience in HVDC (high-voltage direct current) studies, power generation, regulatory issues, merger and acquisition, asset management, quality of power supply, and in particular, power system analysis including load flow, dynamic and transient stability.
He said: “I enjoy advising clients and contributing to their business by using my technical knowhow that result in cost saving and project optimisation. What is driving me about my projects is seeing a satisfied client that keeps coming back for repeat business.” An avid swimmer, he also practises Zen meditation.
Having worked in countries like the USA, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia, Mr Lee has developed the ability to work effectively in a diverse cultural environment and has acquired a strong client relationship management and business development skills. Mr Lee is an Australian national but was born in Singapore.
Mr Ritesh Menon, Director of Projects, Economic and Social Infrastructure Program (ESIP) Papua New Guinea, an Australian Aid programme funded by the Australian Government, is impressed with his expertise. “Cheng has demonstrated the required experience and provided excellent consultancy services in all previous engagements we had with SMEC,” he said. “His professionalism and expertise in the power sector meant that the objectives of the assigned consultancy were always met in projects. When it comes to PNG power grids, Cheng’s knowledge and experience are invaluable in determining logical and effective solutions.”
Mr Lee has a Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Singapore Polytechnic and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Power System (1st Class Honors) from the University of Tasmania in Australia.
