There have been two new categories announced this year - Community Initiative of the Year and Large Energy User Initiative of the Year. These new categories encompass an even wider reach of the energy sector, and proved very popular with entrants.
Chairman of the judging panel, Toby Stevenson, says that the standard of entries for the 2015 Awards maintains the high standards set in previous years and the judges had a difficult task selecting finalists.
"The record number of entries received this year is a true testament to the excellent stories to be told about companies and individuals working in energy related activity in New Zealand."
2015 Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards finalists
Large Energy User Initiative of the Year - sponsored by Element
ANZ
ANZ New Zealand has become the company's global leader in energy efficiency. In the last 12 months it has substantially reduced energy consumption by 9%, resulting in great energy savings; and has had zero growth in energy consumption across ANZ data centres in the last 18 months.
Norske Skog
Norske Skog has commissioned four key initiatives in its attempt to minimise the cost of power at its Tasman newsprint mill. These include the development of a standalone 21 MW geothermal power station and managing refining time to minimise the wholesale electricity cost.
ANZCO Foods
As a result of ANZCO Foods' two-year energy management plan designed and managed by DETA, the company exceeded its target in annual savings across the group. The programme involved energy management committees established at all the company's sites and energy audits conducted across the group.
Environmental Initiative of the Year - sponsored by Transfield Worley Power Services
Transpower
Transpower's long term environmental objective is to reduce harmful emissions. In the last year the company achieved the best-ever rating of its most harmful emission, which marks a 21.6% decline since 2005/06.
Powerco
Powerco has implemented an international best practice Environmental Management System with the goal of progressing its Enviro-Mark Gold standard to the Diamond standard - the highest level - by June 2016. The System has successfully controlled significant environmental risk for three major network projects carried out in the last financial year.
Mighty River Power
Mighty River Power launched the 'Take Charge' initiative in November 2014. This saw MRP announce its commitment to shift 70% of its fleet to plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles by the end of 2018 and through this initiative the company plans to encourage other large fleet owners to take similar steps to leverage off New Zealand's home-grown, renewable electricity supply.
Community Initiative of the Year - sponsored by PEPANZ
Meridian Energy
Meridian's partnership with KidsCan has helped raise awareness of the issue of child poverty to a wider audience. It has also brought the issue home to Meridian staff, taking them outside their comfort zone, but bringing them closer together as a result. Through working with KidsCan, Meridian builds awareness and actively supports the charity to help give every child in New Zealand the chance to succeed by providing food, clothing and basic health care to those who need it.
New Zealand Aluminium Smelters
Kakapo recovery programme - Over the past 25 years New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) has helped its most vulnerable neighbour walk back from the brink of extinction and into the hearts and minds of New Zealanders. In 1990 NZAS entered into a partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) - the first commercial partnership in the Department's history - and Forest & Bird, in a bid to ensure the on-going survival of the kakapo - a critically endangered iconic New Zealand species and a taonga to Ngai Tahu.
Other finalists in this category: Mighty River Power Tauhara North No2 Trust - Mauri Waiariki; Chevron - Community Learner Driver Programme.
Energy Project of the Year - sponsored by ITL
Contact Energy
In 2014 Contact Energy celebrated the completion of their Wairākei investment programme which included the building of the Te Mihi Uenukukopako geothermal power station (Te Mihi). This major four-year programme represented an unprecedented period of investment and development to ensure contribution to Contact's - and the counytry's - success and future.
Transpower
The North Auckland and Northland (NAaN) project represented a once in a lifetime opportunity, delivering the first extra high voltage underground circuit in New Zealand's largest city. It provides substantial benefits to the Auckland region, Northland and the NZ economy. The project overcame diverse challenges and was constructed relatively "under the radar", typifying understated project delivery at its best.
King Country Energy
At King Country Energy's (KCE's) Wairere power station near Piopio, three of the four turbines were approaching the end of their lives. In 2012 the KCE board of directors approved a project to replace the three old units with a single new turbine. The new turbine became operational in June 2014. Whilst a small project compared to some in the sector, it represents a very successful energy project delivered by a small team of very skilled and knowledgeable Kiwis.
Innovation in Energy Award - sponsored by Gentrack
Simply Energy
Simply Energy has launched two innovative products and significantly increased its revenue in the last 12 months; SPC, the company's own cloud based retail platform and secondly New Zealand's first White Label retail service providing third parties with a cost effective option of retailing electricity under its own brand.
Unison
Unison began a Smart Grid initiative in 2009 to extract maximum value from its electrical assets. Part of this initiative involves Remote Engineering Access to smart devices via a mesh radio network to save time and reduce costs. The mesh radio network covers a large portion of the company's overall network.
Transpower
Developed by Transpower, emsTradepoint is New Zealand's new and innovative gas market. This trading market is aiding the New Zealand gas industry by managing portfolio and price risk. A total of approximately 1.2 PJ has now been traded since the market commenced trading.
Awards will be announced on the Gala Evening, with further categories including Health & Safety Initiative of the Year, Young Energy Executive of the Year, Energy Executive of the Year, Consumer NZ Energy Retailers of the Year and the Editor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Sector.
For further information visit energyawards.co.nz
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