[20140211] The Straits Times - Impacting People's Liveshttps://www.spgroup.com.sg/dam/spgroup/wcm/connect/spgrp/251b64a6-0ea5-47f3-90cf-59688be25366/%5B20140211%5D+The+Straits+Times+-+Impacting+People's+Lives.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=Impacting people’s lives Singapore Power engineer Thiruchelvam Ranjan loves what he does because the outcome is tangible and necessary At a glance n n n About 2,400 technical professionals required by 2020. Electricity sales are expected to grow by more than 30 per cent over the next decade. Less than 1 minute per customer a year is the average interruption time, making Singapore’s electricity grid one of the most reliable in the world. by wong sher maine In hIs six years with singapore Power (sP), Mr Thiruchelvam Ranjan has held three job portfolios. he has also added a significant achievement to his resumé — he was part of a team that set up a substation — and is being groomed for leadership. The sP scholar and principal engineer says: “I underwent a rigorous graduate development programme during which I was posted to various departments. Besides giving me an understanding of many aspects of the organisation, these rotations also helped me to feel the pulse on the ground, understand the culture of the organisation, and build a strong social network.” The 32-year-old became interested in the power sector during his final year at the national University of singapore, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, specialising in electrical engineering. he says: “Power is an important and necessary part of everyone’s lives. singapore’s economy and all modern day activities are enabled by electricity, and our networks are amongst the most reliable worldwide.” his career choice was partly inspired by his engineer father. “My father made me realise the impact engineers make on people’s lives,” says Mr Ranjan. “Also, as a young child I would often see him take things apart and put them back together. In today’s world where it’s easier to replace than repair, he made me appreciate and take good care of what I had.” his mother also played a crucial role in shaping who he is today. “Mum was a teacher, and she taught me to question everything. This is something which I constantly apply when I was a student and now as an engineer.” Under sP’s graduate development programme, he has enjoyed a diverse range of jobs. he started off as a network management engineer helping to ensure that the network delivering power to customers is in tip-top condition. Then, in risk management, he learnt to effectively manage sP’s risk exposures. he is currently a project engineer within sP PowerGrid’s network development division where he works on developing singapore’s electricity network, installing and renewing network infrastructure to meet the increasing power demands and connecting new customers to the grid. One of his professional highlights was when he helped to set up the 66kV Rangoon substation, to meet growing demand and strengthen the power network in the central part of singapore including areas like Toa Payoh and Bishan. “We conduct voltage tests, equipment My colleagues comprise a mixture of industry veterans and young talents, but they all have one thing in common — a deep rooted sense of pride in what they do. They have inspired me to always give my best at work, because what I do impacts lives. — Mr Thiruchelvam Ranjan (right), principal engineer, Singapore Power functionality and safety checks before the substation goes live. Each successfully commissioned project adds to the reliability of singapore’s power network, and I am proud to have contributed to this effort.” he adds: “As an sP engineer, no two work days are identical. The challenges I have had to handle include managing network projects, addressing customers’ concerns and responding to power outages.” he was selected to attend the 2013 Young LEADERs! programme conducted by Business Leadership Centre of the Temasek Management services Group, where he honed his strategic thinking and business leadership skills. he is now in charge of organising sP Family Day 2014. he says: “This is a massive event with a lot of logistical and manpower planning involved. I look forward to the challenge of providing an enjoyable and memorable experience for 10,000 staff and their loved ones.” his experience and accomplishments at sP stand him in good stead for a Professional Engineer certification, which is the profession’s highest standard of competence. Mr Ranjan says: “The experience and knowledge that I have gained from working in sP will be instrumental towards achieving this goal.” he loves what he does because the outcome is tangible and necessary. “Every day, the work we do and projects we handle help to grow singapore’s network and connect customers to the grid, powering their activities at home, work and play. In many ways, PhoTo: Wee TY what we do at sP is an integral part of nation building and enhancing lives.” Mr Ranjan is in good company. “My colleagues comprise a mixture of industry veterans and young talents, but they all have one thing in common — a deep rooted sense of pride in what they do. They have inspired me to always give my best at work, because what I do impacts lives.” Diverse career track Singapore Power’s Graduate Development Programme is a talent development scheme where staff benefits from job rotations to better understand the organisation at a macro and micro level. They also benefit from leadership development programmes, and are given opportunities to maximise their potential via stretch assignments. PhoTo: Wee TY