AWARDS FINALIST: Woolworths New Zealand – Chitranjan (Chintu) Rathod - Energy Operations and Innovation Manager

Woolworths New Zealand energy operations and innovation manager Chitranjan Rathod has delivered the supermarket chain's Energy Management Centre - a flagship project projected to drive substantial, long-term annual cost savings.

The analytics-driven programme uses artificial intelligence and predictive modelling to optimise refrigeration, lighting and HVAC systems across its supermarket network, and provides real-time control and visibility across major energy loads in its store network.

Woolworths head of sustainability Catherine Langabeer says Rathod delivered the project on time and under budget - and has already realised over a million dollars in savings, "proving that sustainability and commercial viability are not mutually exclusive, but rather deeply interconnected".

That successful programme and several more Rathod is leading have seen Woolworths nominate him for the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards' Young Energy Professional of the Year.

International understanding

Woolworths says Rathod has moved the firm from a "reactive break-fix" model to predictive analytics and secured a sustainable return on investment that reinforces the business case for future energy innovation.

That work is a cornerstone of Woolworths' Science Based Targets initiative decarbonisation commitments.

"He has shown singular dedication to ensuring that energy efficiency is not just a technical goal but a core safety and operational priority, reducing equipment strain and improving the in-store environment for both staff and customers."

Woolworths says Rathod's approach is underpinned by a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a career trajectory managing energy systems internationally.

Before coming to New Zealand, he worked with Walmart USA's energy efficiency and measurement and verification programme across 2500 sites.

"This international experience provided him with a sophisticated understanding of data analytics, asset performance and the rigors of large-scale infrastructure deployment - expertise he has successfully localised to benefit the New Zealand energy grid," the firm says.

"This period was critical in honing his ability to guarantee energy savings through complex mechanical retrofits and system optimisations-skills that require a high degree of technical accountability and financial precision.

"Energy at this scale required more than just technical knowledge; it required the ability to leverage data analytics to identify 'energy drift' across thousands of assets and implement standardised, scalable solutions in a high-pressure commercial environment."

Woolworths says Rathod is an expert in the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, ensuring that every kilowatt-hour saved was backed by transparent, defensible data.

"This global perspective on 'best practice' is what he now brings to the New Zealand energy sector-combining American-scale data strategy with New Zealand's unique sustainability goals."

Efficiency, decarbonisation

A key project under way at Woolworths is a transition away from fossil-fuel-based heating, replacing natural gas systems with high-efficiency electric technology, de-risking the portfolio against rising carbon prices and gas supply volatility, the firm says.

Rathod's engineering evaluations are balancing peak-load management with the thermal requirements of a high-traffic retail environment.

Woolworths says the initiative is a primary driver in meeting its 2030 net-zero targets, and Rathod is ensuring the transitions are technically sound, commercially viable and executed without disruption to daily store operations.

Other projects Rathod is leading include a nationwide LED retrofit programme, reducing Woolworths' lighting energy intensity by about 40 per cent, and HVAC optimisation pilots of advanced control logic to target a 10 per cent to 20 per cent reduction in thermal energy spend, "directly improving the bottom-line profitability of the retail network," the firm says.

Rathod is also leading a proof-of-concept for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Woolworths sites, bringing together technology providers to test and validate charger integration.

Rathod also represents Woolworths at the Major Electricity Users' Group, contributing to discussions on demand-side management and energy policy across industries.

The annual Energy Excellence Awards will be held in Wellington tomorrow. The Young Energy Professional of the Year award is sponsored by Elemental Group.