Meet Olivia, someone who is not the typical electrical engineer. With a keen eye for real-world problems and a heart rooted in innovation, she founded AMPRA to bridge the gap between renewable energy and modular infrastructure. Instead of focusing solely on large-scale solar installations, Olivia envisioned compact, intelligent systems that could power mobile clinics, off-grid cabins, and emergency shelters—making clean energy accessible for everyone, especially underserved communities and SMEs.
At the core of AMPRA’s mission is Olivia’s belief in listening first and building later. Her modular solutions are not just about technology; they are about people—addressing safety, efficiency, and adaptability. Whether integrating AI-driven risk management systems or creating flexible energy pods for rapid deployment, Olivia’s work is redefining how we think about sustainability in both urban and disaster-prone environments.
What inspired the creation of AMPRA, and how did the idea of combining renewable energy with modular infrastructure come about?
My background is in electrical engineering, so I didn’t initially approach this from a renewable energy perspective. I was more focused on direct current (DC) infrastructure and electrical systems. However, I realised that when discussing electrical infrastructure, it’s hard to get people interested unless there’s a more relatable entry point.
With renewable energy—especially solar—becoming increasingly popular, I found an opportunity. Most people understand solar energy, and when I explain that solar panels generate DC power, not AC, it becomes easier to introduce the concept of integrated infrastructure.
Since DC from solar isn’t immediately usable, it requires multiple conversions, which reduces efficiency. I saw a gap in how communities and industries were integrating infrastructure with renewable energy, so I decided to offer modular, easy-to-understand systems that combine the two within a compact setup, like a container unit. This helps people grasp the concept more intuitively.
What major gaps in traditional infrastructure were you aiming to solve when AMPRA was first conceptualised?
Traditional renewable energy solutions tend to be massive in scale—hydro and large solar farms, for example. These are difficult for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt. My aim was to create smaller, modular systems that SMEs could implement more easily.
This way, they wouldn’t be left behind in terms of energy efficiency. Another issue is safety—installing and managing traditional systems often comes with risks such as overheating or improper setup. By creating a compact, all-in-one system, I wanted to help SMEs conceptualise and adopt safe and effective renewable energy solutions.
Your AI-driven risk management system goes beyond energy monitoring to include worker safety. What was the motivation behind this?
As I mentioned earlier, the workers installing these systems are often the first exposed to site-related hazards. Many of these accidents are preventable with better monitoring. Since we were already building an energy management platform, it made sense to integrate risk management features as well. We included passive safety checklists and a more holistic system to track and mitigate risk on-site.
For me, a good entrepreneur listens first before building or proposing anything. We’re not here to create tech for tech’s sake—we need to solve real-world problems.
How customisable are AMPRA’s modular units? For example, can clients adapt them for healthcare, emergency relief, or mobile education facilities?
Absolutely. In fact, similar modular setups are already being used for pop-up blood donation centres and small container clinics. It’s a small step to integrate sustainability into these by, for example, replacing diesel generators with solar panels and battery systems.
This eliminates noise and pollution. AMPRA’s units can also serve as mobile classrooms, remote workspaces, or off-grid cabins. We’re currently doing a demo setup at a school, where containers will be used as study pods or resting spots for students.
With global interest in sustainable and resilient infrastructure growing, what role do you envision AMPRA playing in shaping the future of smart cities or disaster resilience solutions?
I see AMPRA as a core infrastructure provider for deployment zones. We aim to be the go-to solution for off-grid, easy-to-deploy modular systems that support emergency evacuations and disaster response.
In disaster zones, safety becomes a top priority, and for smart cities, data becomes critical. So we’re not just building containers—we’re creating safe, independent, and intelligent systems that contribute meaningfully to both emergency response and smart infrastructure planning.
What makes a good entrepreneur?
For me, a good entrepreneur listens first before building or proposing anything. We’re not here to create tech for tech’s sake—we need to solve real-world problems. That begins with empathy for the user. Whatever we build must be meaningful and simple enough to be adopted easily.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
While this may be more of a question for government leaders, as a business owner, I observe trends and opportunities around me. I believe Singapore will move increasingly towards sustainable infrastructure, supported by AI-powered platforms.
We’re likely to see more climate-resilient, data-driven urban models emerge as part of our national strategy.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’d like the power to instantly deploy small modular infrastructure systems to underserved or disaster-hit regions around the world.
It’s not just about Singapore—it’s about providing accessible, sustainable solutions to those who need them most, quickly and effectively.
Connect with Olivia: AMPRA, LinkedIn and Facebook.
