76 | T T Russell Fredric In-house skills deliver best client outcomes The project included installing high-voltage switchgear, a 30-megawatt transformer, indoor switchgear, protection systems, and associated cabling, with construction taking around 12 months. CONTRACTING Decom Electrical Decom has built its reputation delivering electrical engineering, high-voltage installation, and substation projects across the lower South Island and beyond. Director Geoff Gorton says the Invercargillbased company has successfully completed projects ranging from industrial installations through to electrical infrastructure upgrades and substation construction. “We set ourselves up as a design, build and commissioning company, so we can take a project right from the initial design stage through to commissioning at the end.” Having engineers, project managers, electricians, technicians, and cable jointers within the business allows the company to manage most aspects of projects in-house, which helps streamline delivery and resolve issues quickly when challenges arise. This one-stop-shop approach is a key part of the company’s point of difference, along with its structure and strong team culture. “We’re an employee-owned company and that helps keep us very client focused,” Geoff says. “We have a lot of different skills within the business and we work together to get the best outcome for the client. “Because we have those skills under one roof, we can often resolve issues internally and keep projects moving.” Projects typically begin with early discussions with clients to understand their requirements and identify opportunities to improve layouts, manage supply constraints and allow for future expansion where necessary. From there, Decom manages the process through design, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning, before handing over completed documentation and as-built information at the end of the project. A recent project that highlights the company’s capability is the new Kekeno Substation at Awarua, built to support load growth and a major electric boiler installation at the Open Country Dairy factory. Decom was awarded the contract by PowerNet to construct, test and commission the new 66/11kV substation, which forms part of a wider network upgrade in the area. The project included installing high-voltage switchgear, a 30-megawatt transformer, indoor switchgear, protection systems, and associated cabling, with construction taking around 12 months. As part of the wider project, a new 66kV transmission line was constructed from the Invercargill GXP (grid exit point) to the new Kekeno Substation. The project also involved upgrades at the Invercargill Transpower substation to enable supply at 66kV. Decom had previously been the construction contractor for the original 33/11kV substation at Open Country Dairy in 2020, giving the team a strong understanding of the site and network requirements. While projects like this demonstrate the technical side of the business, the company’s history is strongly rooted in the local electricity industry. Decom was established in 1995 after changes in the electricity sector saw a number of staff move into contracting and form their own businesses, with the company gradually diversifying its client base and services during the years that followed. During the past three decades, the business has continued to develop its capabilities and invest in training, with many staff starting as electricians before moving into specialist highvoltage, technical or project-management roles. “We try to identify people early and help them develop into technicians, team leaders, or project managers,” says Geoff “Training and mentoring is important because those people are the future of the business,” he says. “We’re a fairly close-knit team and we try to create an environment where people can build a career and grow within the company. “ Our business really comes down to our people and the quality of the work we deliver. If we do a good job and look after our clients, the work tends to follow.” HV & Electrical Infrastructure Specialists Contact the team on (03) 214 1775 49 Ythan Street, Appleby, Invercargill 9812 Geoff Gorton: 027 4346 461 | E: geoff@decom.co.nz Steve Cole: 027 4346 460 | E: steve@decom.co.nz
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