The Group provides a comprehensive range of civil engineering, blacktop paving, manufacturing and township development services with major contracts that spread across the Western-; Eastern-; and Southern Cape.

The PMR Award is based on the company’s overall environmental management policy and plan, the procedures that have been put in place to ensure that construction work has the minimum effect on the natural environment, and that all site personnel are inducted and adhere to the environmental policy.

Significant environmental issues include the protection of Fauna and Flora during construction activities and prohibiting tree removal without approval from the Site Engineer or Environmental Officer. The boundaries of building sites are furthermore clearly defined and areas of special care such as wetlands are demarcated and protected.

The Power Group’s standard operating procedures outline the safe storage and use of hazardous materials to prevent spillage, and contingency plans in the unlikely event of such an accident. This for instance, includes procedures for the safe storage of bitumen products, and diesel storage tanks which are to be bunded or placed in sunken catchpits with a bunded area adequately lined and covered with loose sand, that is large enough to contain a significant spill, should it occur.

Another important aspect is waste management and separation of hazardous and general waste. Hazardous waste such as petroleum products, paints, oil rags and chemicals are kept in bins in a demarcated area and disposed of from time to time at an approved waste disposal site. General waste is kept in such a way that the wind is unable to blow it around the site. Large quantities of cement bags, lime bags or plastic sheeting are collected and kept for disposal or recycling, and waste is never buried on site.

Policies are also adhered to in terms of emergency procedures, construction noise and dust control, as well as the management of surface water in an effort to minimise erosion and siltation.

Graham Power, Chairman of the Power Group said that the company is proud to receive this award. “This award further enhances our reputation as environmentally friendly developers and contractors and we are really pleased to receive this prestigious award. Our experience runs over twenty years during which we have attempted to fine-tune good practises that form the basis of our environmental management plan. The protection of our natural resources is a priority and we are continuously looking at ways to be more proactive in terms of environmental issues.”

“This has stood us in good stead in various projects, but in particular at Thesen Islands, the exclusive marina development in the Knysna lagoon, which is known as South Africa’s most thoroughly researched and planned residential project. Following years of environmental studies, our teams are working within very tightly controlled parameters to ensure that the development exists in harmony with the Knysna Estuary environment,” he concluded.