STUDY OF N.Z. POWER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 7

STUDY OF N.Z. POWER

Party From Philippines Difficulties with generation and transmission were the two main obstacles to the development of electric power supplies in the Philippines, said the assistant general manager and chief engineer of the National Power Corporation (Mr Ramon Ravanzo), in Christchurch. Mr Ravanzo and four other Philippines Government officials are on a three-week study tour of the New Zealand electricity industry.

I They are visiting India, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Formosa —under the sponsorship of the United 'Nations, and the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East. They have already been to India and Australia. Mr Ravanzo said that by comparison, New Zealand had i only minor difficulties in 'supplying itself with power. I There was plenty of water, [easy storage and a relatively small population to cater for. | In the Philippines, the population of 33 million was spread over 7000 islands with a total area of 150,000 square miles. Many people were still without electricity. With small islands and steep, narrow valleys there were few places where large volumes of water could be built up behind dams. Electricity supplies were shared on a 50-50 basis by the Government and private enterprise. There was a similar proportion between hydro and other forms of power generation. Mr Ravanzo said the Government’s main concern was to be able to meet the demand created by the growth of industry in the Philippines.