WEL Networks Recognised Twice at NZ Energy Sector Awards

WEL Networks was recognised twice in the 2010 inaugural New Zealand Sector Excellence Awards tonight - once as the finalist for the Lines Company of The Year Award and again as its CEO was recognised as a finalist for Energy Executive of the Year.



As a finalist for the Lines Company of The Year Award, WEL Networks proved to be one of the electricity lines businesses with the strongest overall performance in New Zealand for the year. The award stands to recognise recent improvements as well as innovative initiatives in the energy sector.



“At WEL Networks we are continually striving to be a leader in our industry by applying innovation and efficiency in our business. It is great to be recognised for the world-class electricity distributions network that we are operating. I am very proud of all our staff on achieving finalist status for this prestigious award,” said John Spencer, Chairman of WEL Networks.



WEL Networks’ CEO, Dr Julian Elder, was honoured during the ceremonies as a finalist for the Energy Executive of the Year award. The award strives to credit the standout performance of an executive in the New Zealand energy sector defined by their achievements for the year.



Mr Spencer, on behalf of the WEL Networks Board, congratulated Dr Elder on his being a finalist for the award.



This year marked the beginning of the awards and its anticipated black-tie gala ceremony and dinner. The awards provide an annual opportunity to acknowledge excellence and achievement across the electricity, oil, gas and petroleum industries.



The awards ceremony was held at Wellington’s town hall and was attended by top people in the energy industry. Chairman of the Judging Panel, Peter Griffiths, said in July when finalists were announced that the calibre of entries was very high this year and that the number of entries received for this first year impressed him.



WEL Networks has been operating in the Waikato since 1912. It generates and distributes electricity to over 80,000 customers. WEL Networks owns, develops and maintains the electricity network of lines, poles, cables, substations and associated infrastructure in the area. Today WEL is the sixth largest electricity distribution company (by number of connections) out of 28 in New Zealand with a primary focus to supply a safe, reliable and reasonable priced distribution service to the people of the Waikato.