| 11 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Hiringa Energy: Tauranga Hydrogen Facility The new Tauriko, Tauranga station will provide concentrated coverage of hydrogen across the transport golden triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. CONNELL CONTRACTORS CONTINUING TO HELP POWER NEW ZEALAND WITH GREENER ENERGY For a vastly experienced contractor in the power sector visit connellcontractors.co.nz Building the hydrogen network Connell Contractors has already played a pivotal role in one of New Zealand's first high-capacity green hydrogen refuelling stations at Palmerston North. It is also proud to be delivering the civil works contract for the Tauriko Hydrogen Refuelling Station, a collaborative initiative between Waitomo Group and Hiringa Energy to establish a comprehensive hydrogen refuelling network across New Zealand. The network is designed to support the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy transport and aims to be one of the first refuelling networks for heavy transport vehicles anywhere in the world. "These are incredibly important projects for New Zealand and we are extremely proud to be part of these renewable contracts," says Lester Foxall, CEO of Connell Contractors. Connell Contractors' scope of work includes the installation of 60 metres of deep drainage using 675mm diameter concrete pipes to ensure effective stormwater management and the pouring of 120 cubic metres of concrete to form the foundation slab for the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. It is also constructing various concrete foundations to support the electrical yard area, ensuring a stable and secure base for essential electrical equipment. The technical complexity of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure has seen the project require specialist equipment sourced from Europe. Lester says the project aligns perfectly with Connell Contractors' evolution since 2015, when he joined the company and brought expertise from the energy sector. This shift focused on securing contracts for major transmission, distribution and renewable energy clients procuring civil infrastructure projects typically for substation upgrades at locations across New Zealand. "Since 2021 Connell Contractors has increasingly focused on renewable energy projects including wind and solar farms as well as geothermal projects," explains Lester. The hydrogen refuelling station project represents the latest chapter in this focus on sustainable energy infrastructure." The Hamilton based company initially specialised in Three Waters work for local councils and residential development projects and has since grown into a multi-disciplinary civil construction company with over 80 staff operating across New Zealand. Operating from bases in Hamilton, Auckland, New Plymouth and Taupō, the company has maintained its family-owned character and culture offering clients a personal service. It remains grounded in core values of honesty, integrity and commitment, with a reputation for being easy to deal with. Lester credits the whole team as a key factor in the company’s success responsible for delivering good quality outcomes such as the Palmerston North and Tauriko hydrogen refuelling station projects, along with close client, subcontractor and supplier relationships: "Our ability to maintain a highly skilled, high energy core team, has allowed us to perform at a consistently high level. We have forged really good key relationships which allow us to enjoy repeat business. That's because we do what we say we're going to do."
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