GOVT. REJECTS SEVEN POWER LINE TENDERS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31006, 11 March 1966, Page 1

GOVT. REJECTS SEVEN POWER LINE TENDERS

Ministry Of Works To Do Job

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, March 10.

The Government has decided to reject all seven tenders received for the construction of a 103-mile power transmission line from West Arm, Lake Manapouri, to Bluff.

The general manager of the Electricity Department, Mr E. B. McKenzie, announced today that the job would instead be carried out by Ministry of Works staff. Further tenders would be called for the supply and construction of the pylons to carry the line.

As a result of the decision, the Bechtel Pacific Corporation, the Government’s supervising consultant for the Manapouri scheme, had been discharged from the responsibility of supervising the line construction. It would, however, retain responsibility for ancillary roading and bridging contracts. The reason for the decision, M ■ McKenzie said, was the postponement of the date on which the first power from the Manapouri hydro-electric scheme would be available. It was originally to be generated in April, 1968, but the latest estimate was April, 1969. “In addition.” said Mr McKenzie. “we had intended that

i Government construction I forces would construct 220.0001 volt tines over 100 miles from Roxburgh to Benmore. These : lines were to be ready' for ■ use in 1968. Not Needed “However, we find that with the acceleration of the Aviemore construction programme to have this scheme in full use by 1968, these lines may not now be needed until some years later. “This means that the construction forces which would have been employed on this job can now be used elsewhere. “We feel the savings that can be achieved by our undertaking construction of the West-Arm-Bluff lines justify switching the men to that job.” Mr McKenzie declined to ■ give the estimated cost of the work or the savings that could be expected.

, Seven tenders were reI ceived for the construction of the line. They came from firms in Australia, Japan, and the United States; some were made in conjunction with local companies. They had been asked to tender for the supply and construction of one row of pylons capable of carrying two conductors. This would be sufficient to handle the power needed for the department from the scheme. Second Row Should, however, Comalco exercise its option to draw power from the scheme, a second row of pylons would become necessary and a condition of tendering had been that the department should be able to require the successful company to supply and erect them. The department’s workmen would handle the erection of

both rows of pylons should it be necessary to erect both. In calling tenders, documents had stated that the lowest of any tender would not necessarily be accepted. In deciding not to accept any tenders the Government had exercised this option, Mr Me Kenzie said.