Thermal Plant Site

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 16

Thermal Plant Site

(N.Z. Press Association) WANGANUI, July 19. The Government would save £l3 million by choosing Wanganui as the site for its 600Mw thermal power er plant and selecting

barges to haul in tho coal, the chairman of the Wanganui Harbour Board (Mr E. J. Kirk) told a special meeting of the board yesterday. “And rm taking Into account only power transmission savings over the first 10 years of the station’s operations,” Mr Kirk said. The chairman said the £l3 million saving had been calculated without taking into account: Port development costs at Westport if the Electricity Department insists on using deep-draught colliers. The chances of lower freight charges for barges. The free power station site already waiting at Wanganui (without the compensation claims New Plymouth is demanding). Considering all factors, Mr Kirk said, Wanganui enjoyed a decided cost advantage over New Plymouth. “And the employment of barges would save the Govem-

ment and the country many millions of pounds.” The power planning committee had backed up the consultants’ pre-supposed plan for orthodox colliers, the chairman told the monthly meeting of the board today. By using barges, the

Government would save the initial cost of the colliere, estimated at £3 million. The barge company would provide its own transport Maintenance survey costs and insurances to be paid by the Government in respect to colliers over the 30-year life of the station would equal the original cost of the ships. Freight rates on the coal would be less for barges. On a million tons of coal annually, every Is would mean an annual saving of £50,000. "Harbour development costs at Westport, which would be met by the Government, would be reduced. The proposal now is for colliers of 19ft draught compared with 17ft 6in originaily planned. “Loading restrictions at Westport as admitted in the committee’s report, would be greatly reduced in the case of barges. "The cost of housing for collier crews as estimated by the consultants will add £320,000,” he said.