Powerco wins Energy Distributor of the Year

North Island electricity and gas distribution company, Powerco, has won the Energy Distributor of the Year title at the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards held in Auckland on Wednesday evening.

The company’s entry, ‘Connecting communities now and in the future’ highlighted Powerco’s commitment to connecting the communities it serves to safe, reliable, and resilient electricity and gas, while investing for the future. 

In the past year, Powerco has combined technology and fresh thinking to deliver a range of initiatives including, designing safer roadside assets, leveraging AI to optimise vegetation management, implementing innovative non-network solutions to manage peak demand, and starting work on developing renewable natural gas.

In accepting the award, Powerco Chief Executive James Kilty acknowledged the dedication of his team to enable a sustainable energy transition.

He said that despite current challenges, the energy sector needs to work together to get New Zealand to net-zero emissions while growing the economy. 

“We’re obviously in a very difficult time in the energy industry, but it’s important we don’t lose sight of the fact that we have everything we need for a good transition. 

“The capability in this room, the natural resources that we have in our country and your commitment is all that is needed. We can grow to zero.” 

New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world with the natural resources and the capability needed to keep growing the economy while working towards net-zero emissions by 2050, he said. 

“It just needs us all to have the ambition to do it and to collaborate like never before to make it happen. At Powerco we’re committed to that.” 

From left: Powerco GM Customer Stuart Dickson, GM Corporate Services Jemma Gerring, CEO James Kilty, GM Electricity Karen Frew, DSO Programme Director Ryno Verster and Chief Financial Officer Chris Taylor. Photo credit: Sharlene Ferguson, Focal Point Photos