Karim Mikati

Accomplished power plant project manager with +27 years of experience directing plant O&M, and overhauls. Skilled in administrating large-scale projects, evaluating quality of work, ensuring contract fulfillment, HSE compliance and prudent utility practices. International experience in teamwork with multinational stakeholders. Holds MSc in Mechanical Engineering and other PG Management degrees.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Prime Metro Power Holdings - Menatech, Iraq, Basra Governate, Umm Qasr       2021- Present

Philippines, Manila - Owner of 30 MW Power Plant and Energy Provider for General Company for Ports of Iraq General Manager – In charge of Umm Qasr Captive Power Plant (3 Wartsila Engines 20VSG34). 

Freelance, Lebanon, North, Tripoli         2017- 2020                                                                                                          Energy and Power Generation Consultancy Services                                                                                                         Power Plant & Energy Strategy Expert – Consulting international Clients (Power Utilities and Investors). Providing various technical services for thermal power plants (overhaul, spare parts, upgrade, training, ..) 

Dietsmann - Nigeria – Delta State - Okpai             2017                                                                                                       O&M Contractor at 480 MW CCGT Power Plant owned by NAOC (Nigerian Agip Oil Company)                               Deputy Power Plant Manager / Engineering Manager – In charge of Engineering Department (Efficiency, Upgrade, HSE, ..). Duplicating the responsibilities of the Power Plant Manager at Okpai IPP (two Alstom GT13E2, two HRSGs and ST with BOP including Diesel Generators (DG).

Shanahan Engineering Ltd - Uzbekistan                   2016                                                                                                   Training Subcontractor for Hyundai (EPC Contractor for new 929 MW CCGT PP in Talimarjan).                                         O&M Trainer – Providing Operation classroom re-training to the local O&M staff (50 trainees) at Talimarjan for the new Power Plant extension consisting of 2 x 465 MW CCGT units (MHPS gas fired GT model M701F4, Doosan horizontal triple pressure HRSG and Fuji ST) & BOP with DGs.

Dietsmann - Nigeria – Ogun State - Olorunsogo                          2015– 2016                                                                   O&M Advisor for NDPHC (Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd) owning and generating in total ~5 GW.                O&M Advisor – Recommending and implementing O&M key solutions in technical and organizational aspects to raise the Reliability, Availability and Efficiency of the Power Plants.                                                                         Achievements: Completed Due Diligence for Olorunsogo 750 MW CCGT Power Plant (4 9E GTs + 4 HRSGs + 2 STs) with recommendations for rehabilitation and modification of the facilities including new Organization Chart for O&M staff. Preparation of the technical and financial documents for O&M bidding. 

Dietsmann-Russia – Yekaterinburg - Moscow, Russia                           2014–2015                                                    Maintenance Contractor for Power Plants owned by OGK-5 (Enel-Russia)                                                                        Deputy Technical Director – Technical Supporting for Maintenance team (~1800) in 4 Thermal Power Plants (~10 GW) and following the execution of Dietsmann’ s Maintenance Contracts for Enel-OGK-5.                                  Achievements: Successfully and timely completed maintenance 2014-2015 campaign, including major overhauls and emergency repairs. Implementation of new and safe technologies and tools for power plant maintenance.

Dietsmann – Aksai, West Kazakhstan                          2013–2014                                                                                             O&M Contractor for Steam & Water Plants owned by KPO (Karachaganak Petroleum Operation)                                     Plant Superintendent - Managing O&M team (~60) of Steam Generation (4 Macchi Boilers) and Water Plant (RO, Demin. & Condensate Recovery Systems) at KPC (Karachaganak Oil & Gas Process Complex).                         Achievements: During 6-months O&M period “0” production hours were lost. Availability: 100%.

ELECTRICITÉ DU LIBAN (EdL) - Beirut, Lebanon                2011–2013                                                                           Government provider of power generation, transmission, and distribution services across Lebanon.                             EDL Project Director at MEW – for EPC/O&M project of new 400-500 MW CCGT Power Plant Representing EDL at Ministry of Energy & Water, Supervision of the Project on behalf of EdL: Technical expertise, Tender, Bidding process, Clarifications to Bidders, Offers Evaluation, e.t.c.                                                                                       Achievements: Successful EPC contracting (within the $500M budget) of 565 MW Tri-fuel (HFO, NG, DO) CCGT Power Plant with 3 GE 9E GTs, 3 HRSGs, ST and DGs at Deir Aamar – Lebanon.

GE ENERGY SERVICES - Sabiya, Kuwait                                          2010–2011                                                                       EPC and O&M Contractor for Sabiya 2000 MW CCGT Power Plant ~$2.7 billion contract                           Operations Manager—2000 MW Sabiya Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant (CCGT PP) – Within limited time frame mobilization and training of the O&M team (~50). Supervision, Construction, Pre-commissioning & Start-up of six 9FA GTs and BOP including DGs.                                                                                                                                    Achievements: Exceeded the target 97% Availability of power energy for 2011 summer peak load demand and achieved considerable savings (+$100k) in tools and consumable purchase.

ELECTRICITÉ DU LIBAN (EdL) Beirut, Lebanon.                  Detailed below for 1996–2010

 ➢ Power Plant Manager—450 MW Deir Aamar Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP)           (2006–2010)                             Lead a 130-person team of resources in all aspects of O&M for a 450-MW power plant consisting of 2 V94.2 GTs, 2 HRSGs, ST and two DGs. Directed the administration of a 5-year, $86M O&M contract.

➢ Deputy Power Plant Manager/Mechanical Department Head—Deir Aamar CCPP                (1999–2006)              Generate tender documents and oversee parts procurement. Plan and manage infrastructure upgrades. Train and mentor plant engineers. Prepare and manage a multi-million-dollar annual operating budget. 

Key Achievements (1999-2010): 

• Achieved and sustained power plant reliability and availability ratings of 90%+ and efficiency of 48%+. 

• Surpassed the performance of identical Zahrani CCPP in Lebanon by 10% and 1%, respectively. 

• Led the conversion of the Power Plant from diesel oil to natural gas mode in 2009, including the supply, installation, testing, and production launch of piping and gas systems, to garner nearly $12M in monthly cost savings based on an average oil price per barrel of $75.

• Coordinated a Diesel Oil Supply Project in 2006 to pipe diesel oil directly from a neighboring oil refinery into the tanks at the power plant, eliminating the need for truck-based diesel oil transportation.

• Directed an initiative to recover heat from combustion gases in the gas turbines to heat the water in the steam turbine portion of the CCPP, helping to increase the output from 300 MW to 450 MW at no additional cost, including supervision of construction and commissioning activities for the whole Combined Cycle portion.

• Captured nearly $10M in direct O&M contract cost savings by paying bills based on the quality of contractor work performed and the fulfillment of agreed upon O&M work.

➢ Shift Operations Supervisor— 780 MW Zouk Thermal (Rankine) Power Plant                     (1996–1999)             Managed a shift with a team of 35 technicians in the operation of 3x145-MW and a 180-MW STs. Supported HFO-fired boilers for the steam turbines, a 20-MW gas turbine for open cycle operations and DGs

EDUCATION / TRAINING

NAU (former Kiev Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers) – Kiev, Ukraine, Detailed below for 1988-1994:

➢ MSc in Mechanical Engineering - Aircraft & Aeroengine (Gas Turbine) Maintenance (1988-1993)

➢ MSc in Engineering Economics - Organization & Planning of Economic Relations (1992-1994)

Cranfield University – Cranfield, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom (2008)                                                                                Gas Turbine Technology for O&M Engineers Training Certificate.

University of Balamand – El-Koura, Lebanon (2009-2010)                                                                                                 MSc in Engineering Management Coursework (incomplete) - Project Management and Quality Control Focus.

European Energy Centre (EEC) Academy in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University (2016-2017)                     Galileo Master Certificate (GMC) - Expert in Renewable Energy Robert Kennedy College – Zurich, Switzerland, in partnership with University of Cumbria - (2017-2021)                                                                                                             MBA in Energy & Sustainability.

Certifications issued by Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) 

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM) 

• Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP)

• Business Energy Professional (BEP)

Selected Professional Development:

Renewable Energy Management and Finance ~ Renewable Energy Systems ~ Wind Turbines Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) ~ Marketing ~ FIDIC Contracts & Arbitration Law H2S Safety ~ PTW Authorized signature ~ Gas Turbine Operation HSE Standards & Codes ~ IPP Structuring & Bidding ~ Gas Contracts Models & Management Environmental Impact Assessment ~ EU Internal Energy Market ~ Power Plant Maintenance Combined Cycle Power Plant Operations ~ Thermal Power Plant Operations Team Building Program ~ HR Management ~ Real Estate Valuation