Professional experiences

My official signed CV is 34 pages long. I have always used the World Bank template for my CV. The first pages run like this. The CV in full length with all 225 projects and full lists of 584 approved technical reports is found at the end of this page.

SPECIALIZATION

Renewable Energy (Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Wind, Solar, Biogas, CNG, Fuel Cell, Hydrogen projects), Policy, Strategy and Programme Development for International Organizations, Ministries, Local Governments and Utilities, Rural Developments, Business Case Development and Financial Modelling, Programme and Project Management; Climate Change and Environmental Management; Natural Resource Management

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Administration (Cand. Scient Adm.), Aalborg University, 1988. Specialisation: International Institutions. Thesis: An Inter-organisational Perspective on UN's Refugee Operations in Thailand. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, 1986

NATIONALITY

Danish

YEAR OF BIRTH

1961

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Carsten Hollænder Laugesen is an experienced global specialist in renewable energy, private sector development, project management, program development, evaluation, and rural development. He has for the last 33 years been project developer, programme manager, chief technical advisor, project manager, technical expert and team leader on 222 projects worldwide (all listed below). He has worked 8 years in the Danish Government, 15 years for one of the largest European Engineering Consultancy companies, 3 years as Development Counsellor at the Royal Danish Embassy in South Africa and the last 16 years as a successful entrepreneur and company owner in South Africa. He has short- and long-term working experience from 24 countries (employment and reference list below)

Private Sector Qualifications. Mr. Laugesen has professional private sector experience from being CEO and owner of several profitable companies in South Africa. The companies include IES Systems (renewable energy, energy efficiency), IBS Crafts (engineering, electricity, water, construction), EBF GAS (a specialized gas development company) and IFS Convergence (integrated rural and renewable energy developments). Mr Laugesen has the last 8 years become a leading biogas developer in South Africa with 41 biogas plants designed and 4 biogas plants constructed. The companies owned by Mr. Laugesen has the last 16 years been highly successful with more than 50 project wins and a combined turnover of R350 million (USD25 mill). The companies are based in Houghton Johannesburg and have in Southern Africa undertaken assignments for key international and national organisations such as UNDP, USAID, GiZ, DBSA, IDC, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Rural Development & Land Reform, Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ministry of Science & Technology, and the cities of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane

Programme, Project & Team Leader Management / Development Assistance Qualifications. Involved in the design, appraisal, implementation and evaluation of 225 international development projects during the last 33 years, Mr Laugesen has acquired a comprehensive knowledge of programme and project management and methods for innovation, implementation, problem analysis, surveying and evaluation. Mr. Laugesen has full project and programme cycle management experience from preparation, formulation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. He is highly conversant with the development policies, procedures and requirements of development agencies. Mr. Laugesen has a proven record of being able to adapt to a variety of working environments and has a long and proven track record of successful project implementation having worked repeatedly for the same clients (EU, Danida, Danced, World Bank, UNDP, UNIDO, USAID, ministries and local governments) in Asia, Africa and Europe. Mr Laugesen was for 3 years Development Counsellor (diplomat) at the Royal Danish Embassy, South Africa, responsible for programme management of a USD200 million portfolio of development projects in Southern Africa

Sector Qualifications: Public Administration, IPPs, Renewable Energy, Biogas, Rural Development, Environment, Natural Resources, Wastewater. Besides being an experienced, innovative, all-round programme and project developer and manager, Mr. Laugesen has in-depth professional and technical knowledge of a wide range of private and public sectors such as renewable energy, biogas, independent power producers (IPPs), public-private cooperation (PPPs), green building technologies, rural development, wastewater and solid waste, natural resources, environment, transaction advisory, contract management, monitoring, enforcement, impact assessment, communication & awareness and development of technical guidelines and manuals

PUBLICATIONS AND LECTURING QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Laugesen likes to write and is the author and co-author of 11 published books, 22 published articles, 7 adopted policies, laws and regulations and 584 client approved technical reports. His publications and technical reports have covered renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change, appropriate wastewater management, capacity development, quality assurance, environmental documentation, management by objectives, health care management, effective working relations between politicians and top managers and effective dialogue between managers. Mr. Laugesen does not like to lecture but has lectured on subjects such as organisational development, group dynamics, environmental management, monitoring and enforcement, renewable energy, environmental regulations, strategic and financial management, and evaluation methodologies.

SELECTED CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

The renowned Koh Phi Phi constructed wetland wastewater treatment plan, Thailand. As part of the Danish tsunami relief programme to East Asia 2004, Mr Laugesen was responsible for four major rehabilitation works, one being the Koh Phi Phi Constructed Wetland developed in cooperation with professor Thammarat Koottatep, AIT and professor Hans Brix, AU. This innovative and beautifully designed natural wastewater treatment plant, the Flower and the Butterfly, has become well-known globally and continue to be referenced in academic papers as an example of appropriate wastewater management. 

Biogas and bio-CNG sector development in South Africa. Mr Laugesen has in the last decade been active in the development of the biogas and CNG sector in South Africa both through the development of more than 41 feasibility studies to determine the viability of biogas with different organic material inputs and commodity outputs and through having been involved in the construction of four biogas and CNG facilities in South Africa. 

The first municipal PV solar plant in South Africa. Mr Laugesen was responsible for the conceptualisation, design and construction of one of largest, at the time, PV solar installations in South Africa, the Ekurhuleni PV solar plant at the OR Tambo Memorial Center, Benoni. 

Large-scale roll out of solar water heaters for low-income housing and hostels in South Africa. Mr Laugesen initiated at the Danish Embassy the 3,000+ municipal roll out of solar water heaters (SWH) for poor communities, a programme which became national policy for large scale nation-wide roll out. Mr Laugesen has since through this companies installed 1,000+ solar water heaters for low-income housing and hostels. 

The Wastewater Management in Developing Countries book published by ASCE, the American Society of Civil Engineers. The book is based on Mr Laugesen’s 6 years of experience with wastewater management in Asia and outlines the need for a paradigm shift in the management of wastewater to influence how wastewater management systems are planned, designed, and operated. The book combines presentation and evaluation of own and others case studies and an innovative framework to assess the appropriateness of wastewater management systems. 

The Water, Land, Cities photobook published by Natural History Publications, Malaysian Borneo. The book is based on Mr Laugesen’s 4 years of experience with environmental management on Borneo, and contains more than 400 striking photographs presented through twelve short stories of Sabah environments and the extent to which they are undergoing change as the State develops and the need for the resources of land and sea increases. 

The Quality Assurance in the Health Sector publication. The book contains an innovative approach to quality assurance systems in the health sector, has a focus on data- and team-based management and is based on Mr Laugesen’s 3 years of experience with the implementation of the first hospital quality assurance system in Denmark. The book was published in 1992, is in its sixth edition and is still today used in clinical departments and health care education programs. 

Successful career transition from academic, government and private sector to entrepreneur. Having been able to sustain, grow and succeed as an entrepreneur in South Africa during the last decade has been one of Mr Laugesen’s biggest career achievement. Each career transition is challenging, and Mr Laugesen has undertaken quite a few. From university lecturer to government officer, from government to private sector, from Danish management specialist to international development consultant, from consultancy to implementation, installation and construction management, all transitions are challenging but the most rewarding has likely been the latest shift from salaried income earner to project-based company owner and entrepreneur. 

Innovations and hard-earned lessons learned in rural development and alternative building technology. Being entrepreneurial is unavoidable linked to innovations, risk taking and lessons learned. Mr Laugesen designed and constructed two of the largest agro-villages in South Africa with 115 green field small-scale farms and established an alternative building technology manufacturing factory producing high strength performance concrete panels for low-cost housing, which resulted in the construction of 50 ABT low cost houses. Lessons were learned from these pioneering efforts, unfortunately the main lesson that neither the market nor I was ready for either these technologies.

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

2014 - ongoing: EBF GAS, Johannesburg, South Africa; Director & Shareholder. Biogas and compressed natural gas (CNG) developments

2014 -2019: Lukhanyiso Food & Energy Centre, Free State, South Africa, Director. Bio-CNG development with 90 small scale BEE farmers

2011 - ongoing: IES Systems, Johannesburg, South Africa, Managing Director. Project development, implementation, solar, financing, renewable energy policies strategies, evaluation

2011 - ongoing: IBS Crafts, Johannesburg, South Africa, Managing Director. Engineering company specializing in electricity, water, energy and construction 

2011 - ongoing: IFS Convergence, Johannesburg, South Africa, CEO & Shareholder. Design and construction of integrated rural development and renewable energy projects

2008-2010: Royal Danish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa, Development Counsellor / Diplomat. Responsible for USD 200 mill development assistance program to Southern Africa. The Danish Southern African programme contained more than 500 projects within Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Climate Change, Environment, Governance, Regional Cooperation, HIV/AIDS & Women, and Water. The position included cooperation with South African Government counterparts and donors (EU, SDC, Gtz, KfW, Britain, Scandinavia, Netherlands, France, USA, Spain) and programme and project responsibility 

2007-2008: COWI, Copenhagen, Denmark, Senior Project Manager. Environment, Institutional & Capacity Development, Development Policies

2005-2006: COWI / DANIDA, Southern Thailand, EPC Manager. Design, tendering, construction supervision and hand-over of as part of the Danish tsunami relief support. The assignment included the design, construction and supervision of environmental structural rehabilitation works after the 2004 tsunami event. 3 constructed wetlands were designed and successfully implemented to serve as demonstration projects for appropriate wastewater management. The position included responsibility for planning, design and implementation, team management of local and international specialists, USD2 million financial management, reporting, and dissemination activities

2003-2005: COWI / DANIDA, Bangkok, Thailand, Chief Technical Advisor. Capacity Development for the Thai Wastewater Management Authority, Bangkok. The main task was to enhance the technical capacity of the Authority. A wide number of improvements were implemented during the 3-year USD3 mill. project. The position included overall responsibility and hands-on involvement in planning and implementation of all 28 project outputs, management of a large team of long and short-term local and international consultants, financial management, reporting. 

1999-2003: COWI / DANIDA, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Chief Technical Advisor. Capacity Building for the Environmental Protection Department, Sabah, Borneo. The main task was to enhance the institutional and human resource capacity of the newly formed Sabah State Environmental Authority and strengthen coordination to other agencies in the administration of existing law and regulations. A wide number of improvements were implemented during the 4-year USD2,5 mill. project. The position included overall management of long and short-term local and international consultants, finance, reporting and hands-on involvement in implementation of the 30 main project outputs

1995 -1999: COWI, Copenhagen, Denmark, Deputy Head/Project Manager/Senior Consultant. Institutional Development Department. Business Development, Evaluation, Institutional Strengthening, Capacity Development, Evaluation

1992 - 1995: National Association of Municipalities (KL), Copenhagen, Denmark. Management Consultant/Project Manager. Management by Objectives, User Participation

1993 - 1994: Scan Clothing, Bangkok, Thailand, Production Manager. Textile Production

1989 - 1992: Department of Health, Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark, Organisation Consultant/Project Manager. Organisation, Quality Assurance, Logistics, Workflow Planning

1991 - 1992: Helsingør Business School, Denmark, Lecturer. Personnel Administration (part-time)

1990 - 1991: Copenhagen Course Centre, Denmark, Lecturer. Team and Project Management, Group Dynamics (part-time)

1988 - 1989: Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark, Lecturer. Power and Influence in Institutions, Organisation Theory

1986 - 1987: UN, Bangkok, Thailand. Evaluator. International Refugee Operations, Committee for International Co-ordination of Services to Displaced People

LANGUAGE

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GEOGRAPHICAL WORKING EXPERIENCE

Working experience from 24 countries: Belgium (short-term), Bhutan (short-term), Botswana (short-term), Croatia (short-term), Denmark (long-term), Finland (short-term), Indonesia (short-term), Kazakhstan (short-term), Latvia (short-term), Lesotho(short-term), Lithuania (short-term), Malaysia (long-term), Namibia (short-term), Nepal (short-term), Poland (short-term), Russia (long-term), South Africa (long-term), Swaziland (short-term), Sweden (short-term), Thailand (long-term), Tanzania(short-term), United States of America (long-term), Vietnam (short-term), Zambia (short-term)

MY PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

My phonebook contains 12,544 phone numbers; professionals and persons meet during the last 30 years. Every time I need a professional with a specific skill or local experience, I scroll through my phonebook, and someone interesting and relevant always pops up. Below is some of the good professionals in my network. 

2010 – 2022: Entrepreneur, South Africa: Andri Hugo, Bruce Fei, Sandile Tyatya, Flemming Schlier, Olympus Manthatha, April Dlamini, Dolly Mafa, Mogens Skov, Anders Schultz, Hope Segone, Mampa Jackson, Kaj Jorgensen, Koketso Molefi, Malesela Manaka, Steven Modise, Motheo Ttsatsi, Nokwazi Moyo, Abhinash Raghu, Peet Steyn, Jaco Westhuizen, Fanie Duminy, Theo Coetzee, Chang Xiaoxi.

2008– 2010, Diplomat, Danish Embassy, South Africa: Aubrey Nxumalo, Karen Breytenbach, Thilidzi Thenga, Ralempotse Mosia, Sithole Mbanga, Dorah Modise, Jakkie Cilliers, Nolwazi Cobbinah, Flora Mokgohloa, Dan E. Frederiksen, Raoul Goosen, Jens Carsten Hansen, Ntombi Mekgwe, Derek Naidoo, Kevin Nassiep, Noma Qase, Jacques Pretorius, Sandiswa Tshaka, Roger Short, Manoj Singh, Peter Krogh Sorensen, Hans Henrik Linboe. 

2003–2007: Chief Technical Advisor, Thailand: Sarawut Srisakuna, Thammarat Kootatep, Ejlif Mikkelsen, Hans Brix, Kit Clausen, Puk Warapon, Ole Fryd, Haitarat Likitanupak, Henrik Lynghus, Suchai Janepojanat, Chatdanai Jiradecha, Ksemsan Suwarnarat, Anant Wanasen, Wisit Suparattanagul, Kitti Uyakul, Chira Wongburana, Chaicharn Wonsamun, Kenneth Wright. 1999-2003: Chief Technical Advisor, Borneo: Eric Juin, Yabi Yangkat, Fred Soon, Soren Fisker, Tony Greer, Bablu Virinder Singh, Clarice Jeseus, Gert Johansen, Ib Larsen, Vitalis Moduying, Susan Pudin, Christian Schriver. 

1995-1999: Project manager, international assignments, COWI: Jens Brinch, Lars Peter Lopez Christensen, Mikkel Rye Christensen, Stig Christensen, Lene Colliander, Jakob Hamburger, Michael Jacobsen, Henrik Brade Johansen, Per Kirkeman, Lene Kjaer, Jens Lorentzen, Claus Rebien, Jacob Ullrich, Bantorn Ondam. 

1989 – 1995: Consultant, Copenhagen, Danish Government: Kurt Pedersen, Henrik Larsen, Frans Bevort, Bo Mikkelsen, Peter Krarup Jorgensen, Henrik Laerkegaard, Gert Haegelskjaer.