MGE; A Key Player in Auckland’s Infrastructure Advancement

MGE takes pride in manufacturing switchboards that cater to the diverse needs of various industries, including dairy, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure. Their commitment to quality ensures that every board they produce is both reliable and innovative, enabling the team to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.

Throughout 2024, MGE was involved in two of the largest infrastructure projects within the Auckland region: the City Rail Link C3 Stations & Tunnels project and the Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel. Throughout these projects, MGE demonstrated engineering expertise and capability, simultaneously managing the demands of its regular workload alongside these two large infrastructure projects.

Ted Ashby, MGE’s general manager, emphasized the importance of having the right teams in place to deliver the level of quality that its clients and consultants expect, especially when tackling such large-scale projects.

City Rail Link

The first major project delivered by MGE was the City Rail Link C3 Stations & Tunnels, which is an integral part of the new Auckland city rail system. Starting with the Britomart terminus in 2016, this extensive three-year project involved constructing twin tunnels spanning 3.45 km and establishing three stations, including two underground. For this endeavor, MGE provided a robust solution, including:

• 12 main switchboards
• 12 UPS changeover boards
• 28 static switch changeover boards
• 54 automatic changeover boards
• 123 distribution boards

Central Interceptor

The second project, the Central Interceptor, focuses on a 16 km wastewater tunnel that is poised to revolutionize Auckland’s sewage system. This initiative, the largest in Watercare’s history, features a 4.5-meter diameter tunnel designed to effectively separate stormwater and wastewater, thereby mitigating overflow issues.

Essential to this project are six pumping stations, each equipped with individual switchboards and distribution boards for both lighting and power. MGE’s commitment to excellence facilitated the design of two 5000 A, 100 kA main switchboards and a 7000 A bus system, crucial for ensuring continuous power to the tunneling machinery. and managing peak demand on the pumps once operational.

Ted Ashby highlights the determination and resourcefulness of the MGE team, which delivered all its project obligations despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions. With two manufacturing sites located in Auckland and Whangarei, MGE successfully met production targets while overcoming supply chain obstacles. The expertise of MGE’s staff proved invaluable, allowing for the innovative resolution of engineering challenges as they arose.

MGE’s Team Structure

The driving force behind these impressive projects has been MGE’s team structure, led by sales manager Winston Pole. With over 40 years of experience, Ted Ashby and engineering manager David Parry offered essential guidance, while production manager Lee Turner ensured meticulous execution of every project detail. Winston Pole emphasizes MGE’s capability not just to meet specifications, but to collaborate with consultants to enhance electrical performance through innovative design modifications.

At MGE, the philosophy extends beyond immediate project needs; it fosters deeper collaboration with consultants to identify pathways for improvement and customization that optimize performance.

The Switchboard Partner of Choice

MGE’s commitment to engineering excellence has made it the partner of choice for these ambitious projects. Ted Ashby underscores the significance of having a dedicated team made up of both engineers and licensed electricians, equipped with the technical expertise necessary for effective solution design and installation. This multifaceted capability enables MGE to work collaboratively with clients, often exceeding the original project scope with smart, compliant designs that deliver substantial benefits.

Sahn Synnott, project manager for the City Rail Link, exemplifies MGE’s innovative spirit by tackling engineering challenges head-on and enhancing system performance through the integration of cutting-edge communication and metering technologies. Utilizing MGE’s own type-tested Powerak system for main board design, Synnott optimally deployed Schneider switchgear and the EcoStruxure platform to enhance metering across all breakers.

Through these groundbreaking projects, MGE continues to establish itself as a leader in the field, showcasing the dedication and innovations that defines McKay and its subsidiaries.