ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Chronicle (Levin), 20 December 1946, Page 4

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

LITTLE HOPE SEEN OF ANY GREAT IMPROVEMENT There is little hope of any great improvement in electricity supbhes, according to a circular letter from ihe electricity Controller, Mr. F. T. M. Kissell, which was road at Tuesday's meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board. The letter pointed out that the - qonnunption of power should be careiully watched. No reductions in ioad beiow the present allocatio'i would be asked for, however, unless ic was essential to do so, and in this regard the hope was expressed that all supply authorities would co-operate to the full extent necessary. The letter added that during the forthcoming year it was hoped that Ihe new gener-ating gtations at Karapiro and Kaitawa would be completed. On present indications it was anticipated that the first unit at Karapiro would be ready to •:o on load in April, but this was dependent on the receipt of the plant from overseas. The position at both stations would be better known by the end of the summer, and the probable gener'ation could ,-hen be more critically considered 3y the Power Shortage AdVisory Committee. In the meantime, allocation of power would continue on the pres2nt basis of a three per ceiit. increase each week on the highest weekly consumption in the corresponding week of the past three years. To supply this increase would -necessitate at least average river flows next yedr, and ' it would probably be necessary to draw heavily on storage throughmt the summer. If hydro conditions were beidw average, or a drv summer was experiehced, it would be necessary to reduce the load beffiw the three per cent. increase. It was anticipated that during March the Horahora station wouid be submerged. This would represent a loss of 12^000 k.w. on peak and an average of 1.8 million units a V^eck for several week's until the; iake was filled and Karapiro tested ~>ut. Until Karapiro \vas operating, the supply position during the next few toonths might be critical. In view of this. an appea.1 "was made to the power boards to liold stri'ctly, to the three per cent. increase until further instructions were issued. Commenting on the power situa-

tion in the Lorowhenua district, the managing-secretary, Mr. R. A. Frederikson, said that the load being carried was considerably more than the allocation. If the present high rate of increase Was niaintained, they would be runhing irito difficulties. He attributed a large portion of the increase to the ' unseasonal weather that had been experienced, and also to the fact that therfe was a difficulty in obtaining supplies of wood and coal. He added that he considered it might be necessary to tighteh up on permits for increased loads in the New Year. The chairman. Mr. G, A. Monk said that from the revenue pdint of view the position this year was very satisfactory, but additional controls would have to be imposed before the winter. The present Jload could not be allowed to g'row. * IPrOviding the weather co-operated, and he persohaily thought it would, he anticipated that the position this coming year would at least be better than in the past. ■A