Nalin Pahalawaththa
About Nalin Pahalawaththa
Nalin Pahalawaththa serves as the Power Delivery and Integration Lead for Australasia at Hatch, bringing extensive experience in high voltage electricity transmission and system planning across various organizations in Australia and New Zealand.
Current Role at Hatch
Nalin Pahalawaththa serves as the Power Delivery and Integration Lead for Australasia at Hatch since 2020. In this role, he focuses on delivering integrated power solutions and enhancing the efficiency of power delivery systems across the region. His responsibilities include overseeing project execution and ensuring alignment with industry standards and client requirements.
Previous Experience at TransGrid
Prior to his current position, Nalin Pahalawaththa held multiple roles at TransGrid. He worked as a Principal Consultant for one year in 2017-2018, where he contributed to strategic planning initiatives. From 2012 to 2016, he served as Manager of Power System Analysis, focusing on system performance and reliability. He was also responsible for operational, medium, and long-term planning of the high voltage electricity transmission network in New South Wales.
Career at Transpower New Zealand
Nalin Pahalawaththa worked at Transpower New Zealand from 2003 to 2010, where he held the position of Team Leader in Transmission Planning for seven years. He was involved in system architecture from 2000 to 2003, contributing to the development and optimization of the transmission network in Wellington. His work included planning and implementing strategies for effective electricity transmission.
Educational Background
Nalin Pahalawaththa has a solid educational foundation in engineering and business. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada, from 1983 to 1988. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, completed in 1981. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Massey University, New Zealand, in 2003.
Professional Contributions and Leadership
Nalin Pahalawaththa has made significant contributions to the energy sector through various leadership roles. He was the convenor of the Cigre Australian Panel on HVDC and Power Electronics from 2006 to 2014 and led the Cigre Working Group on the connection of wind farms to weak AC networks. His expertise has been sought by major organizations, including AEMO and Western Power, for system planning and operational advice.