Mr Kane (69), who retired from the board this week, said the $50 million-plus deal in which Energy for Industry Ltd (EFI) was added to Pioneer's portfolio in December, was one of the most satisfying achievements during his time at the helm of Pioneer.
''Obviously, that would have to be the biggest highlight; it was a relatively big purchase by Pioneer, which is a relatively small company, and I have to pay tribute to [chief executive] Fraser Jonker for his outstanding work in getting the deal together.''
EFI, a nationwide company which focused on clean energy solutions for industry, was formerly owned by Meridian Energy. The purchase was a major diversification for Pioneer, departing from its traditional core business of power generation, which could be an uncertain environment with fluctuating power prices.
Pioneer is a community-owned company which owns and operates 13 hydro-electricity generating stations and two wind farms in Otago and Southland. The company was formed in 1999 after the electricity industry reforms and evolved from the generation assets of the former Otago Central Electric Power Board. It is wholly owned by the Central Lakes Trust and pays an annual dividend to the trust. The money is donated by the trust to community projects within the former power board area. This year, Pioneer paid a dividend of $4.5 million to the trust.
Mr Kane said the development of the nine-turbine Mt Stuart wind farm near Milton was another highlight of his time at Pioneer. The farm was commissioned in December 2011It was a good time to retire, with both Pioneer and the trust in a good financial position, he said.
''It's good for any organisation to have new blood or new approaches and I think after three terms on the board, it's time I retired.''
The board selected its own chairman and had chosen Stuart Heal, of Cromwell, to take over. Mr Heal, who has been a Pioneer director since 2007, is also the chairman of the Southern Primary Health Organisation, the University Bookshop (Otago) and is a director for the Southern Rural Fire Authority. He was chief executive of CRT for 20 years until he shifted to Central Otago in 2004. Mr Kane, a Tarras farmer, has no plans for a ''quiet'' retirement.
He is chairman of the Manuherikia Catchment Water Strategy Group, set up in 2011 to represent the interests of the irrigation companies and water users in the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys. He is also a director of Central Otago Health Services Ltd, which runs Dunstan Hospital. Central Lakes Trust chairman Sir Eion Edgar said it was important to recognise Mr Kane's leadership and service to Pioneer.
''He is widely respected for his knowledge and commitment - and his contribution has been very influential in the development of Pioneer.''
