Young Energy Professional of the Year
This award recognises an emerging leader under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and contribution to New Zealand's energy sector.
Sponsored by
Chitranjan (Chintu) Rathod
Energy Operations and Innovation Manager
Woolworths New Zealand
finalist
Young Energy Professional of the Year
New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards 2026
A results-driven engineer, Chitranjan Rathod is redefining commercial energy management for Woolworths New Zealand. His leadership of the $10M+ Energy Management Centre (EMC) has shifted the organisation from reactive maintenance to a predictive, analytics-led model, projected to deliver $3M in annual opex savings. From scaling LED and HVAC efficiency programs to spearheading retail EV infrastructure, Chintu's work bridges the gap between technical innovation and New Zealand's sustainability goals. His ability to translate complex engineering into measurable commercial value positions him as a pivotal figure in the country's energy transition.