New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards

Fiji renewable energy project wins at New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards

22 November 2007

The first major renewable energy project to be built in Fiji for over 25 years was announced a winner at the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards at TE PAPA in Wellington last night.

The Wainikasou power project, completed by MWH NZ Limited, won the Electrical & Systems category.

The new run-of-river hydro-electric scheme was built in the jungle clad highlands of central Viti Levu, Fiji. The scheme required an innovative approach to design and construction to overcome the challenges of a remote location, rough access roads, high rainfall and a total lack of mains electricity, telephone and internet facilities.

“The scheme, though not large by New Zealand standards, demonstrates how careful planning, design and implementation can deliver a valuable project on time and to budget, despite adverse conditions”, said David Elms DistFIPENZ, Convenor of the Category Awards judging panel.

The third New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards are the premier awards for New Zealand engineering professionals. The awards are presented in two major areas: Individual Awards, that recognise leadership, entrepreneurship, and our young engineers; and Category Awards, that recognise achievement in the various industry areas, together with a Supreme Award for the best of the Category winners.

The New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards are hosted by a consortium of five partners and 10 contributing organisations. The partners are: Centre for Advanced Engineering (CAE); Association of Local Government Engineering New Zealand Incorporated (INGENIUM); Electricity Engineers Association of New Zealand (EEA); Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand (ACENZ); and the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand Inc (IPENZ).

Media enquiries contact:

Verona-Meiana Putaranui, NZEE Awards Media Co-ordinator

Email: media@ipenz.org.nz

Phone: +64 4 473 2028 or Cell: +64 21 479885