Electricity Supply Outlook Not Bright

Chronicle (Levin), 21 December 1949, Page 4

Electricity Supply Outlook Not Bright

• During September, October and November tne cumulative inflows into Lakes Taupo and Waikaremoana have been 20 per cent beIqw average and shouid this inflow trend continue in keeping with the present tenden'cy in loading it is estimated that the level at Lake Taupo could fall to 1173.0 and at Waikaremoana to 1991.7 before the. heavy inflows recommence. • This was the basiL of a communication to the Horowhenua Power Board from the Electricity Controller, Mr. A. E. Davenpart, read at the board's meeting on Monday. It was too early yet, said Mr. Davenport, to make an appraisai of- what the position might be during the next few months, but the board would be advised early in January should extra efforts be called for in order to limit the draw-off from storage. The controller added that the board's consumption for the 48 weeks »ended November 27 had exceeded the allocation by 2.5 per cent, and asked the board for details oi what it proposed to do to reduce the excess " and to limit its consumption of power in future as directed. In regard to yearly allocations it was stated by Mr. Davenport that the Power Shortage Advisory Committee had decided to make the period a financial year instead of a calendar year, as previously, which would make March 31 the date for fixing the new allocation. The board's allocation up to December 25 .remahied at 29.937 miliioh units and -the allocation from December 26 until March 31 was 7.631 million units. The extension of the allocation period would give authorities time to reduce their excess rate of consumption, the letter added. "This is not cheerful and shows the necessity of continued effort to reduce consumption of units," commented the ehairman, Mr. T. G. Vincent. "We might yet have to get back to pulling switches and that is the last thing we want to do." The fact that the inflow into the lakes had been 20 per cent below normal during the past few months was" serious, he added. "I don't know what we will be faced with next year, Jbut it is bound to be something unpleasant." In his statement for November, the managing-secretary, Mr. R. A. Frederikson, reported that the total nett revenue of £72,638 showed an increase of £2,611 when compared with the sams period last year. "Last year the statement showed an increase of £8,163 and that I feel gives a reasonable indication of the loss in revenue due to rationing," said Mr. Frederikson. "We are stil. approximately 2i per cent above allocation and with the holiday season approaching it is. not like'l'y'that that figure wilFbe reduced before the end of the year."