- Service: Site Management, Installation, Commissioning
- Industry: Powerplants, green energy, biogas
- Country: Denmark
Background
This case highlights how one of our interim mechanical supervisors, Keith, has helped maintain project momentum and stakeholder alignment at a biogas powerplant site in Ukraine. The client, Airco, faced challenges finding someone willing and able to remain on-site for an extended period. Thanks to Keith’s strong technical skills and personal resilience, we’ve been able to support the customer with high-level supervision and commissioning services from the earliest installation phase all the way through to site acceptance testing.
Airco is a Danish company within the green energy sector and a long-standing client of Plant Supervision. In the spring of 2024, they reached out with a request for a supervisor who could support the installation of a LBG add-on at their biogas plant in Ukraine. The company was facing a peak in activity and needed someone to commit for the long haul.
Challenge
Airco’s main challenge was securing an experienced Installation Supervisor and Site Manager who could remain in Ukraine for long durations. Given the current geopolitical climate, not all candidates are prepared to work in the region. Airco had also struggled to fill this role with a profile who could combine deep technical insight with personal resilience and cultural adaptability.
Through our partnership and mutual safety protocols, Plant Supervision could confidently assign a candidate who was ready to travel—and to stay.
Our solution
Plant Supervision deployed Keith, an experienced Mechanical Supervisor and Site Manager with international experience from the cement industry as well as a military background, making him uniquely equipped to handle the demands of this project.
Early-phase responsibilities included:
- Acting as Airco's on-site representative
- Managing the site during construction and installation
- Liaising between local teams and the Danish leadership
As the project progressed, Keith took on further responsibilities:
- Supervising equipment installation and commissioning
- Hosting toolbox talks and facilitating stakeholder meetings
- Leading cold and hot commissioning
- Conducting Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
- Providing regular updates to Project Manager in Denmark
Results
Keith’s strong mechanical and process understanding, combined with his flexibility and diplomatic mindset, ensured successful alignment between all parties involved.
From the beginning, the collaboration between Airco and Plant Supervision was smooth. Before traveling to Ukraine, Keith received structured training in Denmark, giving him a solid foundation for managing site conditions.
Sparring on safety, visa handling, and procedures for emergency home transport were handled jointly by Plant Supervision and Airco, ensuring peace of mind for all stakeholders.
Keith has been on-site for more than 1.5 years and is expected to stay for about two years in total. His ongoing presence has contributed to:
- Ensuring project momentum and progress
- Maintaining high transparency with Airco's leadership in Denmark
- Building and maintaining strong relationship with stakeholders on-site
- Avoiding project delays through active on-site problem solving
- Cost savings for Airco, as Keith has successfully covered both the Site Manager and Installation Supervisors roles
According to Airco, Keith has been praised for his proactive attitude, good humor, discipline, and ability to represent the company with professionalism throughout the project.
