Two Aurecon projects win 2019 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards

15 August 2019 – Global engineering, design and advisory company Aurecon was recognised with two prestigious accolades at this year’s Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) Aon Engineering Excellence Awards.

The Docklands in Cape Town’s waterfront was the winner in the category ‘Projects with a value between R50 million and R250 million’ and the Leliefontein Pump-As-Turbine Station was the winner in the category ‘Projects with a value of less than R50-million’. Adding to Aurecon’s success was Discovery Park in Sandton, winning a Commendation in the category ‘Projects with a value greater than R250 million’, and the company’s Dr Tony Igboamalu receiving a Commendation in the Young Engineer of the Year category.

The awards ceremony, which is one of the biggest annual events in the consulting engineering sector, was held on 14 August at Vodaworld in Midrand. Ferdi Nell, Aurecon Managing Director, Africa, says the company is honoured to have two winning projects among all the complex and innovative projects that were nominated.

“It is especially rewarding for our engineering teams to receive such highly-regarded recognition for their innovative solutions and skilled management of two projects that will reduce a municipality’s environmental impact and create a beautiful addition to Cape Town city’s skyline respectively,” says Nell.

About the Leliefontein Pump-As-Turbine Station

Aurecon was appointed by the Drakenstein Municipality to augment the supply of potable water for Wellington through the implementation of the Leliefontein Pump Station project. The Pump Station needed to increase the conveyance capacity to Wellington to 30 Mℓ/d in the interim, with provision to increase it to 60 Mℓ/d in the future.

The location for the Leliefontein Pump Station has hydropower potential, which led Aurecon’s design team to create a station that would have the ability to pump water and generate electricity using the same pumps. The Pump-As-Turbine (PAT) Station is considered a first of its kind in South Africa. While using pumps as turbines is not a new technology, Leliefontein uniquely achieves this by reversing flow through the pumps.

“Leliefontein is a true marriage between civil, mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines. Not only has it led to the Municipality increasing its usage of renewable energy, but the money that is saved will be invested back into the community through service delivery,” says Holiday Kadada, Aurecon Electrical Engineer.

About The Docklands

Situated in the scenic De Waterkant in Cape Town’s sought-after Prestwich Street and located less than 200 m from the V&A Waterfront Marina, The Docklands is a nine-level, mixed-use building that consists of 200 m² retail space, 134 apartments and 160 parking bays.

Aurecon was appointed as the structural engineer and used a unique ‘underpinning’ method to enable the simultaneous construction of four levels above and two levels below the existing office building. The luxury development is destined to become an iconic feature in De Waterkant.

“The Docklands development is one of those memorable engineering feats that changes the way we think of what is achievable in terms of structural engineering. Meticulous planning, collaboration and a future-ready client helped bring this project to life in record time,” says Jaco de Villiers, Aurecon Technical Director.

“Aurecon is proud to have played a part in these projects, which will leave a positive legacy and shape a better future for our clients and fellow South Africans. Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s event who continue to serve society through creativity, curiosity and a commitment to excellence,” concludes Nell.