A beginning.....

It began in 2009, when I was working at Centara Grand Beach Resort, Krabi, as Guest Relations Manager and Risk & Environmental Coordinator.

Set in an exceptional and highly sensitive location, the resort blended naturally into its surroundings and offered guests privacy, high-quality service, and a strong connection to nature. Mornings were marked by the sounds of wildlife, including gibbons calling from the surrounding forest, an experience that defined the character of the destination.

At the same time, the entire resort depended on five large diesel generators, operating continuously, 24 hours a day, year-round. The constant vibration and noise affected both the guest experience and the surrounding environment, raising long-term concerns for the coastal & marine ecosystem.

As part of my role, I was tasked with documenting these impacts and reporting them to local authorities and the Marine Park. This work included supporting the application for an electrical grid connection to the resort, with the objective of permanently shutting down the diesel generators and reducing environmental disturbance.

That experience became the foundation for my long-term commitment to developing practical alternatives for clean energy, low-impact marine infrastructure, and sustainable operations in coastal destinations.

Odni C. Gudmundsson, (Co-Founder Global17-innovations)