The EEA engineering excellence awards recognises recent activities or projects associated with the development of new infrastructure or the improvement of existing infrastructure for the generation, transmission, distribution or utilisation of electricity within the New Zealand electricity supply industry.
Awards are presented at the annual EEA Conference and Technology Exhibition. Winners will receive a trophy and a cash prize of $500.
2024 Winner – Northpower: Enabling te ao Māori values to guide construction of a resilient power supply for Whangārei
The transmission tower replacement and relocation project provided examples of excellence in how engineering challenges were addressed, the emphasis given to reducing risk to flora and fauna, and how significant stakeholder engagement was managed.
Read more about Northpower’s project here
How to Enter
You will need to provide information to showcase your entry. This requires a little work but it is important we have this information to help our judging panel select the winner and to showcase the runner ups. The judging panel may contact you directly for more information.
The submission should provide a descriptive summary and give us the details and supporting information/data around the issue(s), key attribute(s), action(s) and factors you believe have contributed toward your successful safety outcome and demonstrating how the entry meets the judging criteria.
Projects must have been in operation for at least a year, and be no more than three years old.
It should also include;
- Diagrams and explanatory text and any published reviews or critiques undertaken by independent parties
- Supporting visual/multimedia material which could include up to 1-6 high quality colour images; and /or either in jpg or tif format, or clearly labelled photographs ;and/or up to 25 second of mpg video file or automated PowerPoint presentation
- Sign-off by a member of the organisation’s senior management team
Please ensure to have your attachments ready or email your entry to admin@eea.co.nz.
Judging Criteria
Criteria: Contribution to the national or local economy and impact on quality of life of relevant communities
Performance Indicators
- Development of infrastructure (ie. national/local asset).
- Value-adding to natural resources.
- Evidence of meaningful consultation with those affected.
- Impact on the natural environment.
- Impact on an urban environment.
- Cost savings potential.
- Employment potential.
- Advancement of sustainability
- Import replacement.
- New industry development.
- Health and safety of people.
- Material well-being of those affected.
- Environmental or social well-being of those affected.
Criteria: Contribution to building the reputation of New Zealand electricity supply industry engineering
Performance Indicators
- Satisfaction of the needs of clients and/or end-user groups.
- Importance of the engineering component.
- Reputation as a quality project.
- Adherence to budget and timeline.
- Recognition as an engineering achievement/ innovation.
- Recognition of the standard of excellence.
Criteria: Overseas interest
Performance Indicators
- Functionality and economic impact on its life cycle
- Originality.
- Coverage in world literature.
Criteria: Sound Engineering and Business Principles and Practices
Performance Indicators
- Future operability and asset maintenance provisions.
- Originality or ingenuity in achieving the best solution.
- Adherence to budget parameters and program timelines.
- Innovation and creativity exhibited in all aspects of the work.
- Patents and other protection
Previous Winners
| 2022 | PowerNet Ltd, ‘Innovation at the Edge of the World’ |
| 2018 | AECOM NZ Ltd ‘Wilton Substation 110kV Bus Rationalisation’ |
| 2017 | Unison Networks ‘Asset Rating in the Days of Disruptive Innovations’ |
| 2016 | Meridian Energy ‘Manapouri Transformer Project’ |
| 2015 | AECOM ‘Wairau Road GXP Substation’ |
| 2014 |
Amethyst Hydro Ltd & Electronet Group ‘ Amethyst Hydro Power Scheme’ Merit to: Mitton Electronet & Transpower ‘A Transmission Mobile Substation from Design to Operation’ |
| 2013 | ElectroNet Group (Mitton ElectroNet & ElectroNet Services) ‘Connecting McKee Power Plant to the Grid’ |
| 2012 | Top Energy/Transpower ‘Overcoming Ownership Boundaries to Serve Customers’ |
| 2009 | Over $3m in capital expenditure category): Mighty River Power for their ‘Kawerau Geothermal Power Station’ Project. |
| 2008 |
Over $3m in capital expenditure category): Mighty River Power for their Arapuni Dam Foundation Remediation Project. Under $3m in capital expenditure category: Connetics for their full lighting upgrade of the exterior of New Zealands architectural icon Christchurch Cathedral. |
| 2007 | Over $3m in capital expenditure category): Vector ‘Revitalising Infrastructure: Vector’s Undergrounding Project in Howick’. |
Application form: Engineering Excellence
Please use this form to submit your entry into the Engineering Excellence Awards