Visit powers tiny nation's goal

Northland power consumers are helping a tiny South Asian nation reach its goal of Gross National Happiness.

A high-level delegation from the largest corporation in the Kingdom of Bhutan is visiting Northpower on a fact-finding mission about best practice in the electricity sector.

The Bhutan Power Corporation Limited (BPC) employs over 2000 people in the monarchy that is tucked into a corner of the Himalayas, and home to about 750,000 people, the majority of whom are Buddhist.

Northpower's chief executive Mark Gatland said the company was pleased to host BPC's leaders and their tour sponsor, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

"Northpower has worked with TEPCO previously and learnt from its experience in the electricity sector so it is pleasing to be able to pass on our electricity network knowledge to representatives of BPC," Mr Gatland said.

"The challenges BPC faces maintaining its network are immense, with men having to walk for days in very steep terrain to attend to maintenance. Anything we can share that helps them is positive."

The Northpower tour included an overview of the New Zealand electricity sector, Northpower's history and current business set up, safety, subcontractor management, employee recognition, and the management of electricity peaks and troughs.

BPC project leader Noboru Seki said the visit had been invaluable.

"We are extremely grateful to Northpower for hosting us and their great hospitality in New Zealand," Mr Noboru Seki said.

"We have learned so much and have so much to take back to our country. We are especially impressed with the values that Northpower carries and works with."

BPC Ltd was launched as a public utility in 2002 to distribute electricity throughout Bhutan and also provide transmission access for generating stations for domestic supply and export.

One of BPC's basic mandates is to ensure electricity is available to all citizens and the supply is reliable, adequate and, above all, affordable for all.

BPC is a paramount driver for economic growth to take place in Bhutan - providing a direct link to achieving the national goal of Gross National Happiness.

(In 2006, based on a global survey, Business Week rated Bhutan the happiest country in Asia and the eighth-happiest in the world.)