The Problem Of Electric Power

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1949, Page 6

The Problem Of Electric Power

WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. Sin.ce January this year tlie net exeess consumption of electricity in New Zealand was less tlian one per cent over tlie allocation but that was not as good as it sounded, said tlie general manager of tlie State Hydro-Blectrie Department, Mr. A. E. Davenport, m an address to tlxe conference of secretaries and engineers of New Zealand supply authorities today. The position had been brought about by the efforts of some supply authorities but it had been oft'set by others whose eft'orts were not so good. He felt, however, that all the authorities had endeavoured to earrv out their obligalions and he thanked the tliree power shortage advisory comniittees for their work. He mtended 'to meet the North Island committee and he asked the conference to prepare reasons why consumption should be higher than the allocation so that it ivould be possible to consider all the facts and act aecordinglv. The South Island had had an unrestricted year and in Nelson and Marlborough it was hoped to take sueh steps that there would be no instabilir.y until the completion of the Cobb scheme. In the North Island generation was up 5 per cent on last year's ligures. At Taupo so far this year the inflow of water was 6.9 per cent above the long term average but rainfall at Taupo this year was 17 per cent above the average. "We cannot use the rainfall. We can only use the water in the lakes and the water in the rivers/' Mr. Davenport eommented. At Waikaremoana for the lirst part of the year, the llmv was defieient but a storm in Mav did some good. Later there was another i'all in the flow and the inllow was 5- per cent below average. In the Sout li Island generation was lli per cent above last year. At Waitaki the flow was 31 per cent above average. In Nelson and Marlborough generation was up 1 .1.7 per cent though consumption had risen by 18.7 per cent. On tlie Waikato the Department used 99. .14 per cent of the water available. With all the vb'issitudes . and lake levels to be considered, it seemed that Waikato operators should be eongratulated for an extremely good job. The Department iiad wasted this year 011 the Waikato 1,. '100,000 units through flood, 2,50 ).(v()i! units through trouble with a Karapiro generator and 2,800,000 units through Taupo reaching its storage limit. The total wastage represented two inches on Taupo. Natural Steam Power Mr. Davenport, who is one of a committee of four investigating the use of geothermal steam, said that Itab'an efforts up to 1930 were haphnzard, the results being unsat'mfactorv and dangerous. Then c, r.mon sense was applied and later developments were satisfac tory. The practi'-e followed in locat ing geothermal steam reservoirs fol loved eloselv the pruetice used to locat e oi 1 , said Mr. Davenport. The problem wes to find the steam reservoirs whieh niight be some distance laterallv from wliere the steam came out of the ground. It was thought that a detailed invostigat'ion of the area between Taupo and Wairakei would present the answer to the ther-

mal problem and it was intended to concentrute on that area. Coming Events Mr. Davenport made the following announcements : Tenders for the supply of electrieal and mechanical plant for the Rox-

burgh (Otago) scheme are to be called probably this week. Work on the Pukaki project is proceeding at such a rate that extra water would be stored in the lake for next year's generation. It was hoped to install the flrst generating machine at Maraetai in 1951. Construction of the Whakamaru station on the Waikato River would be gone aliead with and tenders would be called shortly. During the next nine years the construction of transmission facilities and sub-stations would involve an expenditure of ,£29,000,000. "Eor the future, " he said, "we must avoid anv additions of steam-power to the generatmg eaj>aeity of New Zealand, unless, and until, it is absolutely unavoidable. - It is a last resOVtMTOt a flrst. " ' This remark followed an explanation of the revenue sources of the department and the high cost of steam generating.