ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 10

ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Developments In South Island

NEW STATIONS PROPOSED Long-Range Plan Announced Proposals for the development of the South Island electric power system during the next 10 years have been prepared by the Public Works Department, according to a statement of the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). These plans have been actuated by the rapid development of demand on the South Island system which Mr Semple said has been a-i a rate never contemplated by his engineers and advisers. The Government’s plans include the following salient points: (1) A power station in the Rakaia valley opposite Methven to develop approximately 20,000 kilowatts with water from the Rangitata river conveyed along the irrigation canals during the irrigation offseason. (2) A power station with an output of approximately 20,000 kilowatts at Tekapo, combined with a low regulating dam to conserve water for the winter season. The conservation will permit of further development of the Waitaki scheme. (3) The cortipletibn of the Waitaki power station to a total output of 75,000 kilowatts.

In the South Island, the Minister’s statement shows, orders have been placed for two additional units each of 15,000 kilowatts for installation gt Waitaki. The utilisation of irrigation water from the Rangitata scheme will mean a big saving to the department for during the winter months, when the water is not needed for irrigation, the demands on the power supply are greatest. As the demand slackens off in the summer when the irrigation water is needed there wis be no difficulty, from this source.

It is also the intention of the department to secure a schedule for further long-range development of power supply schemes in the North Island, investigations on which had to be suspended earlier this year because of tack of staff. Repairs at Kalmata One of the most difficult tasks the department had to deal with during the last year, and a task which is still occupying its attention —was at Kaimata dam, on the West Coast. There, the Minister's statement said, the damage done to the apron of the dam led to extensive repairs. This dam, which formed part of the Grey Electric Power Board's supply scheme, was taken over from that body on August 23 of last year by the department, to form part of the Westland power development scheme. When the department took over the scheme work was progressing in increasing the capacity of the plant by the erection of a scries of automatic weirs and repairs to the apron. This work was being done by the department when it was discovered that the apron had collapsed under the hammering of the water, and the complete renewal of the apron became urgently necessary. The new apron Is now under construction, and has been designed to give greater assistance than the former apron to me fail of water. It is considered- that this, combined with the additions to the face of the dam, will break up the fall of the water, and prevent the continual hammering of the apron. It was necessary to erect a coffer dam for the construction of the new apron on three of the bays of the Kaimatadam, the coffer dam being divided, into two portions to provide better access to erosions and scours underneath. The erosions and scours are being repaired as the work proceeds. Results of Operations Mr Semple’s statement also shows the scope and development of the work of electric supply authorised, and gives new and interesting figures. There are now 45 electric power districts in New Zealand, and 41 are actually carrying out the distribution and sale of electric energy. The total area covered is 711,816 square miles, or 69.4 per cent. «f the total area of the Dominion, or 66.6 per cent, of the population is using this form of power. The total amount of loans authorised by the 41 districts winch have taken polls for them is £13,344,700. The total capital outlay of 40 boards in operation is £13,607.497. The gross revenue from the sale of electricity by the power boards is £2,580,956, and the general result is a profit over the whole business of the power boards of £179,252 for appropriation to reserve funds after paying working expenses and capital charges for interest. sinking fund, and depreciation. Of the 91 distributing authorities, 79 showed a profit for the last year amounting in all to £889,848. and 12 showed a loss totalling £11,254. The gross revenue was £4.686.397, and the general result was a profit for the whole Dominion of £878,594. The entire operations showed a net profit of 2.47 per cent., compared ' with 1.66 for the previous year. .