PowerNet

Time for a new role? Come and join the awesome team at PowerNet as our Communications Manager! Click the link to see what the role is all about, and what we can offer you. https://lnkd.in/ghz8_na6 Applications close 18th August.

Exciting News PowerNet, together with SEC, is proud to introduce the EEA Workplace Safety Award-winning ‘Pole Grab’ invention! This game-changing tool makes working around poles safer. The Pole Grab is lightweight, offers superior manoeuvrability, and significantly reduces risk in challenging environments. For further enquiries, please email polegrab@powernet.co.nz and one of our team members will contact you. #PowerNet #SafetyFirst #Innovation #Polegrab #ElectrcityIndustry

PowerNet Selected as Network Manager for Ruakura Superhub One of New Zealand’s Largest Logistics and Industrial Precincts. Network management company PowerNet Limited has announced that it has been appointed by Ruakura Energy to manage the electricity distribution network in the Ruakura Superhub, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest inland port and logistics precincts in the Waikato region. A signature project by one of Waikato’s leading property developers, Tainui Group Holdings, the Ruakura Superhub is of national importance, and represents an expansion of PowerNet’s portfolio of managed networks into the North Island. PowerNet Chief Executive, Jason Franklin, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Ruakura Energy and Tainui Group Holdings to support this logistics and industrial precinct in the fast-growing Ruakura Superhub, and to mark PowerNet’s expansion of our portfolio of managed networks across New Zealand’s electricity industry.” Located 4 km from Hamilton’s Central Business District and equidistant from the cities and seaports of Auckland and Tauranga, the Ruakura Superhub is set to include logistics, industrial, commercial, retail, and green space with some residential elements also planned for the future. “The appointment to manage the network for the newly established Ruakura Energy reflects the value of PowerNet’s asset management expertise, operational scalability, and business system maturity. Our proven capability will support the growth in energy demand as the Ruakura Superhub reaches full capacity over the next three decades. We are excited to support TGH’s intergenerational investment plans,” said Mr Franklin. Ruakura Energy will connect directly to the nearby Hamilton Grid Exit Point (GXP), owned by Transpower, and distribute power via a new Ruakura substation, currently under construction. Connected to an underground network, the substation will be equipped with a backup transformer to provide network resilience, maintaining a smooth and uninterrupted operation. PowerNet will start managing the Ruakura Energy network from late 2024, on substation commissioning and connection to the Transpower GXP. PowerNet’s GM Business and Customer Growth, Kewal Bagal, said he would be leading PowerNet’s diverse team of experts in the required network integration and acceptance activities. “The team is currently underway with preparatory network integration activities by mapping Ruakura Energy’s network into our internationally accredited network management systems. Our team will also work alongside Ruakura Energy to ensure the substation and cable systems under construction are built fit-for-purpose. “As development progresses, PowerNet will oversee network acceptance activities prior to connecting to the Transpower Grid Exit Point,” said Mr Bagal. Once the network is operational, PowerNet will use trusted partners from the Waikato region to provide network field services.

This week, our PowerNet team is visiting Y7-8 students around our southern schools to present the students with their well-earned Hato Hone St John Whātuia te Waiora | Weaving Wellbeing programme certificates. PowerNet's Regulatory and Risk Manager, Michelle Fowler-Stevenson, said, “I had a fabulous time with Room 4 Hargest Junior seeing the programme through Hato Hone St John in action. We talked about the unkind words we tell ourselves in our heads and how we could change that to something kind and positive. I loved seeing the engagement from these young people and the value of this programme as some found it easy, and some found it more challenging to say something kind about themselves. Cool bunch of kids.”

We are super proud of our Electrical Engineer Matthew Ting, who has been selected as a finalist for the EEA Young Engineer of the Year 2024 Award. Good luck from us all at PowerNet.

We are very excited to be named a finalist in the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards. In partnership with #digitalstock, we entered the Innovation in Energy Award with our entry of Innovating Installation Control Point (ICP) Billing Management—Compliance Made Easy. This category awards a strong overall demonstration of innovation in the New Zealand energy sector. PowerNet and Digital Stock’s ARC Platform is an example of industry innovation revolutionising the ease of Installation Control Point (ICP) billing management compliance for a growing number of users across New Zealand’s electricity distribution sector. Winners will be announced at the official awards evening at the Cordis Auckland on the 28th of August.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the Low Carbon Future category of the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards for 2024. The Low Carbon Future category recognises emissions reduction initiatives carried out by the New Zealand energy sector. Our submission focuses on PowerNet leading the collaboration needed as decarbonisation in Southland gathers pace. Through our 'Partners in Decarbonisation' programme, we're enabling our customers to take steps towards their climate change targets by significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting the decarbonisation of the Southern Economy. Winners will be announced at the official awards evening at the Cordis Auckland on the 28th of August.

PowerNet scoops The Grand Business Southland Workplace Injury Prevention Award for 2023. Southern electricity distribution management company PowerNet is this year’s Workplace Injury Prevention Award winner, announced at the event’s Gala Dinner on Friday (17 November 2023). PowerNet is an Invercargill-based joint venture network management company owned by Electricity Invercargill Ltd and The Power Company Ltd. It operates and manages over $1 billion of assets and investments in the Southern region. PowerNet Chief Executive Jason Franklin says, “The award was for Workplace Injury Prevention with our entry of our innovative Critical Control Framework (CCF) digital tool. It is not only improving the management of critical risks, meaning more people are likely to go home unharmed, but it is also leading how we bring safety, consistency, and clarity to managing and making all decisions relating to everyday critical safety points in all our on-the-job operational work. This is crucial to our business success.” The CCF was developed in partnership between PowerNet and Australian-based technology company Risk Mentor. The CCF is a powerful digital tool that connects people directly with operational processes using a mobile phone or tablet. The tool is a significant step forward in achieving consistency in critical safety practices by replacing three separate paper-based tools. Risk Mentor digital tool is now available in New Zealand, and details can be found on www.rmde.co.nz. Before starting a job, field teams use the CCF to ensure the right controls are in place to manage critical safety risks. The impressive list of features provided by the CCF includes links to field safety actions with legislative obligations and the EEA industry safety rules, an onsite audit trail for ‘as found and as left’ (beneficial when working with Councils); information detailing where project managers and leaders need to improve work-pack information relating to critical controls; verification of critical controls; improved reporting; and the ability to increase workers’ understanding and knowledge of effectively managing risks. Digital technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, providing endless opportunities for improvement, including in the health and safety of employees and others working around electricity. “We are committed to providing a modern, more practical, and efficient way of ensuring the health and safety of our employees. As a result of our focus on critical risk controls and other safety initiatives, our incident rate has dropped dramatically,” says Mr Franklin. L/: The Grand Business South Awards category sponsors Josh Keogh, Pro Civil Construction, PowerNet team members Hamish Prentice, Warren Dobson, Kewal Bagal, Brad Rogers, Rangi Solomon and Dean Carey, Pro Civil Construction.  

PowerNet is proud to be a finalist in the 2023 Grand Business South Awards with our Workplace Injury Prevention entry of Critical Control Framework (CCF). Workplace health and safety is PowerNet’s greatest priority and a critical success factor — we’re committed to a `safety always’ culture and `continuous improvement’ actions. Our teams work in high-risk, often remote, environments where the right controls are needed. We’ve led the way in NZ’s electricity industry by introducing a Critical Control Framework (CCF), bringing safety, consistency and clarity to managing and making all decisions relating to critical safety points in all operational work. Winners will be announced at the official Gala Dinner this Friday (17 November) in Dunedin.