MEDIA RELEASE: 16 AUGUST 2012
Mighty River Power takes premier title at Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards
· Special award for Sir John Todd
The Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards were held last night in Auckland to recognise achievement and excellence in the
New Zealand energy sector.
Over 650 guests attended the black-tie event at the Langham Hotel.
The Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon Phil Heatley, was the guest of honour and keynote speaker at the event. The
minister congratulated all the winners and finalists. "Recognising those who achieve excellence in any field of industry
is an important part of a successful country," he says.
Mighty River Power won three awards at last night’s event, including the premier Overall Energy Company of the Year
award. According to the judging panel it was Mighty River Power’s strong retail performance from its differentiated
offering, combined with its successful international expansion which set it apart. The company’s domestic business
continues to benefit financially from sound decisions made in the past. Mighty River Power’s Chief Executive Doug
Heffernan was recognised as the Energy Executive of the Year for his remarkable achievements over the years; including
adding huge value to the company he steered from conception.
Sir John Todd received the Energy News editor’s award for outstanding contribution to the sector. Sir John, former
chairman of the Todd Corporation, is now chairman of the Todd Foundation and recognised as one of New Zealand’s top
businessmen.
Energy News editor Gavin Evans said that, while Sir John had served on the board of Todd Petroleum Mining since 1959,
the award recognised his leadership of the Todd Corporation since 1987, and the development of the group’s integrated
energy strategy since then. Where once the company was solely an oil and gas producer, it now controls a fleet of hydro,
geothermal and gas-fired generation and has an expanding retail presence on the North Island.
Shell Todd Oil Services received the Energy Project of the Year award for their Maui revitalisation project, which has
materially increased reserves at the field, extending production by at least three years, with further extensions
considered likely.
Orion was recognised with the Excellence in Health and Safety award for their emergency preparedness and ongoing support
provided to staff and contractors, during the major earthquakes in the Christchurch region in 2011 which provided a
unique safety challenge.
Chairman of the Judging Panel, Peter Griffiths, says that the calibre of this year’s entries was very high. “The judging
panel has been in the privileged position of seeing the work of New Zealand’s best energy businesses and learning of
their successes,” he says. “It was a real challenge to select finalists and ultimately winners from the diversity and
high quality of entries.”
The principal sponsor for the event is Deloitte.
Deloitte partner and energy sector leader Paul Callow congratulated all the winners in this year’s Deloitte Energy
Excellence Awards.
“Deloitte is thrilled to again be associated with recognising the best and brightest in the energy sector, and the
valuable contribution they make to New Zealand’s economy. The entries in this year’s awards were outstanding, and
clearly showed that innovation and striving for excellence is well and truly alive in the sector.”
The MC for the evening was Sky Sports presenter Grant Nisbett, who entertained the crowd during the evening with stories
of New Zealand’s sporting moments.
The event was attended at an executive level within the energy sector across the electricity, gas and petroleum
disciplines.
The event is run annually by Freeman Media, publisher of online news and information service Energy News.
THE WINNERS:
Innovation in Electricity Award – sponsored by Gentrack
Mighty River Power – Glo-Bug
Energy Project of the Year – sponsored by ITL
Shell Todd Oil Services – Extending the life of an energy giant – Maui
Excellence in Health & Safety Award – sponsored by Siemens
Orion – Health and safety during emergency response
Environmental Excellence Award – sponsored by PEPANZ
Transpower Alliance – Environmental excellence down the wires
Young Energy Executive of the Year - sponsored by ABB
Tony Sumner – Meridian Energy
Energy Executive of the Year – sponsored by Transfield Worley
Doug Heffernan – Mighty River Power
Lines Company of the Year – sponsored by TE Connectivity
Top Energy
Energy Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Chapman Tripp
Powershop
Overall Energy Company of the Year – sponsored by Port Taranaki
Mighty River Power
Editor’s award for outstanding contribution to the sector – sponsored by EECA
Sir John Todd
ENDS