The 2004 Meritorious Service Award was presented to Bryan Leyland in recognition of his significant work in electrical engineering in New Zealand and overseas.

Bryan is an Electrical and Mechanical Engineer who specialised in power generation and power systems. He was the winner of the IPENZ/UNITEC 2001 Communications Award. His experience includes hydropower generation, combined cycle, generators, transformers, power system design, transmission lines, switchyards and cables and is a recognised expert on all aspects of the design, construction and operation of small hydro schemes and has wide experience on large schemes.

Recently Bryan has been involved in structuring the electricity industry in Bhutan so that it can maximise its return from exporting large amounts of hydropower to India. He started his working life with Lloyd Mandeno, one of the pioneers of electricity in New Zealand. He has worked in the UK, Mauritius, West Africa, Cyprus, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Australia, and is currently working with the Bhutan Electricity Corporation.

Bryan accepted his award from Richard Gibbons, Convenor of the EEA Awards Committee, dressed in traditional Bhutan suit.