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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 264 | 18 August 2008

PPA Trade Exhibition attracts high calibre companies

The PPA trade exhibition closed on Thursday evening and was an opportunity to mix and mingle with the allied members of the PPA including suppliers.
Hydro Tasmania Consulting was one of the companies which took a booth and are the proposed suppliers of the wind turbines for the pilot project to be positioned in the hills of Kiikii.
TAU CEO, Apii Timoti said the authority had chosen to deal with the Tasmanian company, not only for their outstanding record but also Tasmania is an island state and understands the constraints of operating in an island environment such as the Cook Islands. The CEO was referring to issues relating to isolation and transport problems that would not necessarily be incurred in a city environment.
The Tasmanian company is best known for generating hydroelectricity including all aspects of water management and were involved in the Cultural Heritage programme in their home state where they carried out an audit of all Tasmanian assets from a cultural point of view. Other Australian states have used their expertise including Queensland where they were commissioned to build the Burnett dam in the Bundaberg area of Queensland.
Their experience in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance in energy and water projects are also in demand overseas, for instance, they were commissioned by the Malaysian Department of Irrigation and Drainage to design and build a tunnel for the city of Kuala Lumpur to reduce storm water flooding in the streets of the city.
Another is an upgrade of the dam of the Rouna Power station in PNG which restored the station to its full capacity leading to operating restrictions being removed.
Hydro electricity is not being explored for the Cook Islands but rather for other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Another exhibitor that CI Times met briefly was ABB Turbo Systems Ltd from Switzerland whose rep Adrian Zingerli said the company has built the world’s most powerful turbocharger developed with joint venture partner IHI in Japan.
ABB is also involved in the Panama Canal expansion, nicknamed Panamax, that is due for completion in 2014 which is said to allow more traffic through the canal. If all goes to plan, supertankers and large containerships will be able to access the shortest and quickest route available. The benefits have already flowed with a wave of investment in maritime infrastructure and boosted the economies in Central America and the Caribbean.
The calibre of companies at the PPA trade show demonstrates the level of interest in the Pacific Power Association which began only 17 years and now appears to be force to be reckoned with.

Headlines : Times 264 18 August 2008
- Aere ra Bob, a true friend
- Separate agency to handle nodules revenues?
- Water shortages drive residents to meeting
- New political party to stand for social justice
- PPA Trade Exhibition attracts high calibre companies