Inaugural Energy Sector Excellence Awards

Mighty River Power Takes Premier Award At Inaugural Energy Sector Awards
8 September 2010

The inaugural Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards were held last night in Wellington to recognise achievement and excellence in the New Zealand energy sector.

Over 550 guests gathered for the black-tie event at the Wellington Town Hall which was attended by the Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon. Gerry Brownlee.

The Minister extended his congratulations to all the winners and finalists. "Recognising those who achieve excellence in any field of industry is an important part of a successful country."

Mighty River Power won the Overall Energy Company of the Year award and also picked up the Project of the Year award with its recently commissioned Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station, which it operates in a partnership with Tauhara North No. 2 Trust.

Former TrustPower chief executive officer Keith Tempest received a special award for his outstanding contribution to the sector and retail start-up Powershop walked off with two gongs, the Innovation Award and CEO Ari Sargent won Energy Executive of the Year.

OMV won the Petroleum Project of the Year for its extended reach drilling of the offshore Manaia field last year.

Over 90 entries were received across the 10 categories. Chairman of the Judging Panel, Peter Griffiths, says that the calibre of entries was very high and that he was impressed by the number of entries received for the first year. "The judging panel has been in the privileged position of seeing inside some of New Zealand's best businesses and learning of their successes. It was a real challenge to select finalists from the diversity of entries."

The event was organised by Freeman Media, publisher of online news and information service Energy News. Organiser Matt Freeman says he was delighted with the way the event ran in its first year.

The principal sponsor for the event was Deloitte.

Deloitte partner and energy leader Paul Callow says the sector plays a fundamental part in the economy and the achievement of excellence deserves to be recognised.

"Recognition of the achievements of outstanding individuals and organisations in the energy sector in New Zealand is long overdue," he says. "Deloitte is proud to be the principal sponsor of this event and to recognise the contribution that the finalists have made to an industry which is vital to our economy. I am pleased to offer my congratulations to all the awards winners."

The MC for the evening was Prime TV news host Eric Young and a surprise visit from David McPhail as "Muldoon" rounded out the entertainment.

The event was attended at an executive level within the energy sector across the electricity and petroleum disciplines.

THE WINNERS: Innovation Award - sponsored by Gentrack Powershop Excellence in Health & Safety Award - sponsored by Northpower Shell Todd Oil Services Young Energy Executive of the Year - sponsored by Nexans Simon Clarke Arc Innovations Energy Executive of the Year - sponsored by Siemens Ari Sargent Powershop Lines Company of the Year - sponsored by Tyco Electronics The Lines Company Petroleum Project of the Year - sponsored by ITL Manaia extended reach well OMV New Zealand Energy Project of the Year - sponsored by Greenstone Energy Nga Awa Purua Mighty River Power and Tauhara North No. 2 Trust Energy Retailer of the Year - sponsored by Deloitte TrustPower Overall Energy Company of the Year - sponsored by Schneider Electric Mighty River Power Editor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Sector - sponsored by General Cable Keith Tempest

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