STATE POWER SCHEME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 3

STATE POWER SCHEME

TASMANIAN ELECTRICITY GROWING DEMAND HOBART, Nov. 16. By 1942 it is estimated that Tasmania will require at least 175,000 h.p. to meet the demands on its hydro-electric power resources. Twenty-five years ago the Government of Tasmania purchased the Great Lake works from the HydroElectric Power and Metallurgical Company, which was formed to generate power from the Great Lake and for treating certain complex ores bv an electrolytic method. In 1915 the Government purchased the electrical undertaking of the Hobart Gas Company, and in 1916 power from Waddamana was available in Hobart for lighting the city and driving the trams. It wns available also for the carbide works at Electrona, and for the experimental plant of the Electrolytic Zinc Works. In 1923 the installed capacity at Waddamana reached 66,000 h.p. Transmision lines began lo reach out to country areas, and in 1929 il was decided to construct the Shannon station. At its completion in 1931. there was a total of 80,000 h.p.g of generating machinery installed. In 1934 tiie Tai'vaieaii scheme was started, and by February, .1938. another 63,000 h.p. had been added to the scheme. To meet Die growing demand, additional machines • are being installed at Waddamana and Tarraleah. The capitai now invested exceeds £6,000,000. and Die annual revenue is more than £540,000.