Powerco

Buzz buzz 🐝⚡ Look what happens when bees take up residence in an electricity pillar box. More used to calls about downed power lines and vehicles vs poles, our electricity emergency phone line operators recently worked with a bee expert to safely evict a swarm of bees from a pillar box in Coromandel township. "A quick phone call to the Powerco emergency number determined that 'yes, this was indeed an emergency – admittedly of a very rare nature', and the operator was very pleased to hear that there was already a bee expert on scene," The Coromandel Informer newspaper reported. "The decision was made for a contractor to turn off the power early next morning so Aaron (from Abuzz Apiaries) could attempt to collect the bees. The beekeeper and a small group of neighbours (watching from a safe distance) met at the buzzing box as scheduled. The power was turned off and Aaron carefully and calmly smoked the box to calm the bees, removed the lid revealing thousands of bees gathered around their queen. He ever so carefully removed the queen and moved her into his own beehive – without a single sting." Ka pai to all involved and thanks to The Coromandel Informer for the story. You can read their full story here: https://lnkd.in/gp7ediRu #CustomerService #Safety #Electricity #Powerco_NZ Karen Frew Stuart Dickson Jemma Gerring

Last month our Renewable Gas Manager David Hendry and Renewable Gas Senior Project Manager Elizabeth Smart, PMP attended the Biogas West Conference in Canada to hear how other countries are using biogas. They also took the opportunity to see biogas production in action at site visits. They were happy to share their insights at a Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) webinar yesterday. Well worth a watch 👀 We're excited by the potential for biogas to bring together the energy, agricultural and manufacturing sectors to capture and use gas emissions from organic waste - which is why we talk about it every chance we get. We have two initiatives underway and we're looking for more opportunities. Watch the webinar and get in touch.

"The next ten years are the years that matter." That was the message CEO James Kilty had for the energy industry in Wellington last week as we launched our Grow to Zero White Paper. Our challenge is to grow New Zealand's economy as we move to net-zero by 2050. Our opportunity is to use renewable energy as our competitive advantage. Investing, innovating and collaborating is how we will do it. But we need to do it now, or the rest of the world will catch up. Watch James talk Grow to Zero, and read our white paper here: https://lnkd.in/gY_Ciuv3 A few snaps from our function below. James Kilty Karen Frew Don Elers Ryno Verster Jemma Gerring Stuart Dickson Chris Taylor

We're investing in our gas infrastructure for our Wellington customers. Our gas network in Wellington has undergone an important upgrade with the installation of replacement valves at the Belmont Gas Gate. The gate plays a crucial role in the Hutt Valley gas network regulating the gas pressure and supplying approximately 27,000 customers. The Belmont Gas Gate also allows us to independently turn off the Riddlers and Avalon district regulator stations in the case of an emergency. James Kilty  Don Elers Jemma Gerring Chris Taylor Karen Frew Stuart Dickson

We support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure on our network, but in areas of constraint the option to introduce new EV fast chargers requires either increasing grid capacity, which can be achieved by going down the traditional poles and wires route, or deploying non-network solutions.   Read the latest Industry Insight on our website about how we worked with EV charging experts Kwetta on a solution to improve voltage regulation along a feeder in Hauraki District to enable the addition of fast EV chargers at Z Ngātea without compromising the reliability and stability of the existing power supply for existing customers. https://lnkd.in/gp7su6BP James Kilty Chris Taylor Don Elers

We're investing in the electricity network in Taranaki to ensure customers continue to receive safe and reliable power now and into the future. The project involves replacing equipment and performing routine maintenance including:  - Replacing nine wooden power poles. - Replacing 462 hardwood crossarms. - Replacing 11 transformers. - Adding bird spikes to cross arms to help prevent faults caused by bird. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/guyyMVW2

Kura Kai was one of the very worthy recipients of the 2024 Powerco Community Fund.  As well as the Powerco Community Fund giving a koha for this cause, our whānau showed their support by bringing in food for the 'Kura Kai Christmas pēke' campaign at our New Plymouth and Tauranga offices. We've been busy filling pēke (bags) full of Christmas goodies that will go to local rangatahi in the Taranaki, Western Bay of Plenty and South Waikato regions, who could do with some extra aroha during exams. This can be a stressful time, alongside the financial pressures of Christmas, so we know a few goodies will go a long way. #KuraKai #Aroha #PowercoCommunityFund #Powerco_NZ James Kilty Jemma Gerring Stuart Dickson Karen Frew Don Elers Chris Taylor Ryno Verster

We are keen to support tomorrow's workforce and inspire the next generation of engineers, graphic designers and IT experts. This week, our new cohort of interns joined us for the summer to gain valuable experience to kickstart their careers, while helping us get through our to do lists in the race to the end of the year. Most interns will be with us until February when they start, or return to, tertiary study.

At Powerco, we're committed to inclusivity. Head of People and Culture, Leile Sims: “Just as we provide period products in our workplaces, or root our leadership programmes in te ao Māori concepts, or have an active rainbow community, we want to be at the forefront of making sure our industry is attractive to people from all backgrounds." That's why we're partnering with Taranaki Cricket Association to remove barriers to girls cricket participation by providing the Year 7/8 development team, and Year 9/10 and Year 11/13 representative Taranaki girls’ cricket teams, with black playing pants. “Offering black playing pants instead of the traditional white gives these players added confidence, helping to alleviate period anxiety, so they can focus on the game without worry.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g7ffHgKV #Inclusive #Women #Energy #Powerco_NZ James Kilty Karen Frew Jemma Gerring Stuart Dickson Chris Taylor Ryno Verster Don Elers

We are pleased to congratulate our Internal Audit Specialist, Brendon Jull, who has been appointed as the Assistant Chief of Army (Reserves), the top reserve appointment in the country, reporting to the Chief of Army. In great news for Powerco, Brendon’s new role is a part-time (20-hour a week) fixed-term posting, allowing us to share his expertise with the New Zealand Defence Force. At Powerco, Brendon ensures that our people and processes adhere to legislative, regulatory, and policy requirements across the business. In his new role with the Defence Force, he will serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of Army, advising on Army Reserve Force matters. Brendon, who holds the rank of Colonel, is looking forward to influencing the contribution of the Reserves at the highest level. And we look forward to retaining Brendon’s skills and experience at Powerco.