Biz in Brief

In a promising start to the year, 3 Denmark saw significant customer growth, driven largely by a surge in internet subscribers. This remarkable increase saw 19,000 new customers, propelling 3 Denmark’s total customer base to 1.608 million. This surge isn’t just a numbers game – it’s reflected in a substantial service revenue boost of DKK 26 million compared to the previous year’s first quarter, marking a solid 5% growth. As 3 Denmark continues to expand its reach and offerings, it solidifies its position as a leading telecommunications provider, poised for even greater strides in the year ahead.

Hutchison Ports is the first port operator to secure SBTi’s approval for its submitted group-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and 2050 net-zero target under Water Transportation – Ports and Services, with targets in alignment with the global warming limit of 1.5°C. They are also aiming at reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 54.6% and Scope 3 emissions by 32.5% by 2033 from a 2021 base year. With a comprehensive net-zero strategic roadmap, Hutchison Ports is dedicated to implementing emission reduction measures globally, steering towards a more sustainable future.  

UK Power Networks Services, the private networks business of UK Power Networks, has acquired UU Solar, a major provider of renewable energy, including solar and much more, for an enterprise value of £90.8 million. UU Solar owns and operates 65 solar photovoltaic farms, four onshore wind facilities and one hydro generation asset, with a total installed capacity of 68.7MW. The company has long-term agreements and profitable status, enabling it to expand its renewable energy generation in the future.

While much of the energy generated today goes to United Utilities Water Limited, a regulated UK water and sewerage company, UK Power Networks Services can leverage their UK-wide water, electricity and other critical infrastructure asset portfolios to create synergy between UU Solar and their other businesses.

Watsons dazzled as the Overall Winner in the 11th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards 2024, a competitive programme that recognises the best in business innovation in the Asia-Pacific. Watsons took home 34 awards, including 11 Gold, 10 Silver and 13 Bronze across several categories, solidifying its status as a top contender in the O+O Health & Beauty retail sector. Some of the highlights include Watsons’ campaigns for Innovative Management in Retail and the impactful “Go Green with Watsons”, which promotes sustainable practices and carbon neutrality. These victories spotlight Watsons’ commitment to business excellence and its strong customer relationships across diverse markets.  

SA Power Networks has teamed up with Carbonix to conduct the first-ever long-range drone patrol of electricity power lines in Australia. The flight demonstrated the benefits of “over the horizon” drone operations, conducting thermographic inspections and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) imaging across 150km of powerlines in South Australia.

This exciting development highlights that the power drones have the potential to reduce overall travel and operational costs as well as improve staff safety. Drones are also able to speed up responses to outages, facilitate fault detection, aid in bushfire preparation, and streamline maintenance and line re-stringing work. This pioneering initiative heralds a new era in powerline management.

Hutchison Ports Pakistan set a historic milestone with the arrival of the largest-ever vessel, MSC ANNA, to berth in Pakistan, measuring 400 metres in length and with a capacity of 19,368 TEU. This landmark event highlights the terminal’s advanced technology and infrastructure, proving its capacity to handle ultra-large container ships efficiently.

This achievement also underscores the port’s strategic significance in the region. The arrival of such a massive vessel is expected to boost trade, reduce shipping costs and significantly enhance Pakistan’s position in global maritime commerce. Additionally, the increase of port activities is set to generate substantial revenue for the government, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

HUTCHMED hit a milestone with the Hong Kong marketing approval of ELUNATE® (fruquintinib), a drug to help treat metastatic colorectal cancer. This groundbreaking achievement makes it the first medicine to have passed the innovative “1+” mechanism by the government, offering a ray of hope to patients across the SAR.

As the first oral targeted therapy endorsed in Hong Kong for metastatic colorectal cancer (regardless of biomarker status or prior types of therapies) in nearly a decade, ELUNATE® is a game-changer for patients.

Fruquintinib’s success extends beyond Hong Kong! In addition to approvals in mainland China, Macau SAR and the United States, the future looks brighter for those battling colorectal cancer in Hong Kong and beyond.  

HK Electric has announced its decision to construct another new gas-fired generation unit at Lamma Power Station. The new generation unit, L13, will be manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd in Japan, marking a pivotal step towards the company’s net-zero goals. The unit, now in development, is slated for commissioning in 2029 and promises to push carbon emission reduction during the transition to alternative forms of electricity.

Meanwhile, HK Electric is exploring the use of hydrogen energy and looking for insights from innovative hydrogen energy facilities inside Takasago Hydrogen Park, with a view to creating a greener and more sustainable Hong Kong.  

Hutchison Ports BEST recently received the first Onshore Power Supply substation, allowing them to provide electricity to container ships while docked, thereby reducing emissions. This achievement is a great forerunner for the next steps of Port of Barcelona’s electrification project at BEST, which is set to charge ships with 100% renewable clean energy this summer. By embracing this transition, Hutchison Ports BEST spearheads greener maritime practices, setting a precedent for Southern Europe and contributing to a more sustainable future for the shipping industry.  

In celebration of Earth Day, Watsons has launched Naturals by Watsons’ Special Edition Blue Beauty range across Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Each product is formulated with over 94% natural origin ingredients and every bottle is crafted from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic. Thanks to this range, customers can actively combat plastic pollution while enjoying personal care products. This initiative is part of Watsons’ commitment to sustainability, which now offers 9,700 Sustainable Choices products.  

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and a number of heavyweight industry partners have secured nearly £500,000 in Ofgem funding for its Hydrogen Cost Reduction Programme (HyCoRe), which will explore hydrogen’s role in easing the upfront investment needed to achieve net zero in the UK.

Joined by industry giants such as Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, Kinewell Energy and Arup, NGN will delve into hydrogen integration with existing energy networks in a series of projects that have already garnered over £16 million in Ofgem funding.

The six-month HyCoRe project will focus on national modelling, regional solution modelling and technical challenge assessment, aiming to pave the way for green hydrogen integration into the gas network.  

Hutchison Ports YANTIAN has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in environmental sustainability with the remarkable levels of shore power used to cut carbon emissions. In 2023, its supply of shore power reached 12,000,000kWh, slashing vessel carbon emissions by nearly 9,700 tonnes – a number equivalent to planting approximately 540,000 trees. This feat solidifies the port’s position as China’s leading port in providing shore power, significantly bolstering Shenzhen Port’s nationwide standing. Through these innovative industry solutions, Hutchison Ports YANTIAN demonstrates its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and fostering a greener future for maritime operations.  

Watsons Thailand celebrated its 700th store with a grand opening at Central Westville. As the leading health and beauty retailer in Thailand, Watsons has locations spreading across all 77 provinces. Glamour took centre stage, with a fashion show and mini-concert featuring local celebrities. To top it off, donations were also made to the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women, extending Watsons’ commitment to community and women’s empowerment.  

Enviro NZ has achieved Green Star NZ accreditation, including full accreditation for its Auckland and Central North Island centres, showing the significant strides it has made in construction sustainability. Green Star, an environmental rating system for commercial buildings in New Zealand, promotes waste reduction and enhances the country’s carbon footprint while prioritising the well-being of its citizens.

Enviro NZ now offers tailored waste audits, material segregation solutions, employee training and digital diversion reporting to aid clients in meeting sustainability targets.

Enviro NZ’s focus on sustainability continues with the construction of an organic facility in Timaru, where waste will be turned into compost and used to help improve soil quality in the region. This facility, at Redruth Recovery Park, will boost its organic waste-processing capacity and contribute to a thriving circular economy.

CKDelta has joined Databricks’ Data Intelligence Platform for Energy as a strategic partner. This groundbreaking launch highlights CKDelta’s cutting-edge role in data and AI, alongside esteemed partners such as Deloitte and Capgemini. With energy as a focal industry for 2024, the platform aims to leverage partner solutions to drive opportunities for both Databricks and its partners. Through these partnerships, CKDelta’s intelligent apps will reach global energy companies as part of their channel go-to-market strategy. As the market witnesses the debut of CKDelta’s offerings, the stage is set for transformative advancements in energy data intelligence.  

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has received £300,000 in innovation funding for two studies that would research transitioning to net zero in the UK.

The first project, PATCH (Production and Long-Term Containment of Hydrides), explores alternative hydrogen storage media, while the Regional Energy Strategic Modelling project (RESM) focuses on optimising gas, water and power networks simultaneously, to support low-carbon infrastructure.

Funded by energy network users and consumers (through the Strategic Innovation Fund, SIF), the projects aim at rapidly achieving net zero in the UK at minimal cost while maximising benefits to networks and consumers.  

Hutchison Ports KICT, COSCO-HIT and Nanhai International Container Terminals (NICT) all marked significant milestones in 2024. KICT celebrated its 25th anniversary with a grand event attended by esteemed guests and announced its support for two educational institutes under the Dock School Programme. COSCO-HIT commemorated its 30th anniversary, expressing gratitude to clients and staff for their support. NICT also celebrated its 30th anniversary, acknowledging the contributions of government bodies, customers and partners. Last but not least, Hutchison Ports celebrated the group’s 55th anniversary in March at its annual dinner themed “We Together 55 We Shine” which was well attended by management and staff. These latest milestones highlight Hutchison Port’s achievements and the collaborative efforts driving its continued success.

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has secured funding for 12 pioneering projects as part of its initiatives to propel innovation in electricity and net-zero efforts. Now in their discovery phase under Ofgem and Innovate UK’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), these initiatives have the objective of fast-tracking net-zero plans, fortifying network resilience and lowering costs.

Partnering with over 20 leading innovators, the projects include endeavours such as electric-powered boats and heat capture from waste. UKPN is enthusiastic about the projects’ potential to revolutionise its operations and communities.

So far, UKPN has managed to seamlessly integrate 58 projects into its workflow. This has resulted in £425 million in customer savings, which is a testament to the company’s mission to deliver tangible benefits through strategic collaboration.  

Kruidvat Belgium hit a significant milestone with its 300th store opening at Dok Noord, Gent. It reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by donating 3,000 gift cards to Food Bank Belgium, embodying its ethos of giving back to the community and the needy. Meanwhile, Rossmann Hungary celebrated two major achievements: the opening of its 250th store at Budapest Arkad Shopping Centre as well as its 30th anniversary. These brilliant achievements reflect its dedication to providing customers with top-notch O+O shopping experiences, featuring a diverse range of high-quality products and services.  

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat or IOH) has shone once again on the global stage, earning accolades for its exceptional network quality and management excellence. Recognised at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Indosat emerged as the operator with the most consistent network in Indonesia, alongside commendation for its superior voice app experience.

Meanwhile, at the Asian Management Excellence Awards 2024 in Thailand, the company clinched two prestigious titles: Executive of the Year for Vikram Sinha, its President Director and CEO, and Indonesia Team of the Year for its Corporate Communications team. Indosat’s stellar performance in 2023 continues to garner international acclaim, reaffirming its position as a leader in the Indonesian telecommunications industry, with more than 100 million customers.  

GAMECO has wrapped up a successful chapter with the completion of Lufthansa’s Winter Heavy Maintenance Programme 2023–2024, where it meticulously serviced 12 Airbus A350 and A330 aircraft, ensuring top-notch quality every step of the way.

Operating from its main base in Guangzhou, each aircraft underwent rigorous maintenance checks, guaranteeing optimal performance and safety for Lufthansa’s fleet. GAMECO is immensely grateful and proud that one of the world’s leading premium airlines has entrusted their most modern long-range aircraft to the company.

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has trialled a cutting-edge traffic management planning solution, 1Streetworks, which has the ability to reduce connection times and improve safety.

Tested in Surrey, the trial drastically cut surveyors’ design time from hours to minutes for 300 sites, while continuing to meet the high levels of safety and accuracy required under the regulations. This success has led to an expanded trial in Kent, testing whether it can be used to benefit customers served by other workstreams across UKPN.

The biennial 2024 Energy Networks Australia Conference in Adelaide proved pivotal for Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), shedding light on their strides in advancing renewable gas initiatives at the event, which unites industry leaders to navigate the future of energy solutions.

AGIG’s senior staff were in attendance to present their latest energy initiatives, such as their community-centric approach to sustainable partnerships, gas network use for carbon-neutral electricity and the future of renewable gas. AGIG’s Hydrogen Park South Australia facility also hosted a site tour and hydrogen barbecue at the Tonsley Innovation District.

HUTCHMED has joined a prestigious line-up of 60 enterprises in partnership with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park to bolster fresh research and development initiatives. Part of this move includes investigating the creation of R&D operations in Hong Kong.

A commitment to innovation and growth bolsters the strategic advantages of this fruitful partnership, which also benefits from Hong Kong’s low tax rates and highly open capital market.

HUTCHMED looks forward to embarking on this ambitious partnership, which is sure to drive medical advancements and have a global impact on healthcare.