| 5 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lodestone Energy CONNELL CONTRACTORS HELPS LAY FOUNDATIONS FOR KAITAIA SOLAR FARM For a vastly experienced contractor in the power sector visit connellcontractors.co.nz WAIKATO-BASED CONNELL CONTRACTORS IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH NEW ENERGY, INFRATEC AND LODESTONE ENERGY TO HELP BUILD THE FOOTPRINT FOR KAITAIA SOLAR FARM. The Connell team were onsite from early 2023, supported by FNR Group, to deliver roading, foundations, ground improvement, and drainage works for this milestone project in the Far North. Connell Senior Estimator Tejinder Sadhar said: “We upgraded existing internal and main roads, and formed a new road to the solar base. We also delivered ground improvement and foundation works, installed a drainage culvert, and installed a temporary laydown area for site operations.” Tejinder said working on peat and navigating ground water levels added to the challenges of the project. Ȋ7KH GLɝFXOW JURXQG FRQGLWLRQV PDGH IRXQGDWLRQ ZRUN FKDOOHQJLQJ Ȃ HVSHFLDOO\ LQ ZLQWHU However with our extensive planning and preparation, and by having the right people and right resources in place, we were able to overcome these challenges to deliver the right result.” Connell Contractors is an award-winning civil construction operating throughout New Zealand. Connell helps build the foundations for New Zealand’s key energy and infrastructure projects. PHOTO CREDIT: NEW ENERGY Building a partnership of firsts We’re thrilled to partner with Lodestone Energy as they change the face of New Zealand’s solar energy market. Solar sites of this scale are a first for our country, so when Lodestone said ‘partnership’, we knew it’d be a partnership of firsts. Infratec built its pioneering reputation bringing solar energy to Pacific Island communities, and is now designing and installing large scale solar farms in New Zealand. Innovation, tenacity and strong relationships are at the core of our success. As Lodestone’s construction partner, Infratec is at the frontier of solar design and installation in New Zealand. We’re pleased to work alongside businesses that take a ‘relationship first’ approach and focus on collaboration. From nationwide developers to local business, we’re in it together, so we chose to employ and develop local workforces that will lead New Zealand to a Net Zero future. “We’re 100% Kiwi owned, and developing local subcontractors to get them ready for the solar market speaks to our DNA,” says Richard Adams, Infratec’s Programme Manager. “Working at this scale comes with big challenges, but collaborating with local businesses has opened the door for innovative solutions, especially around site conditions and people safety.” Whether it’s building first-of-their-kind tracking systems, driving collaborative on-site health and safety practices, or using agile methodology to accommodate cyclones, our focus is to deliver. And we’re proud to be delivering Lodestone’s vision for a better New Zealand. Contact Infratec today for more information on how we can support your move to solar energy. www.infratec.co.nz Lodestone Kaitaia: Infratec has partnered with Lodestone Energy to build its first five solar farms throughout the North Island.
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