HYDROELECTRICITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 57, 18 February 1927, Page 6

HYDROELECTRICITY

SUPPLY FOR THE COUNTRY. FIRST CONNECTIONS IN APRIL. ALL COMPLETED BY END OF MAY. The progress of reticulating the Hawkes’ Bay Power Board’s district has reached a stage when some definite announcement can be made as to when the country people will be able to enjoy one of the benefits that has belonged to those in the towns. Provided that everything goes on smoothly the first of the consumers will be supplied with current on April 1 next, and by the end of May all the reticulated areas, including Napier, will be in receipt of hydro-electricity. The position was fully stated to the members of the Hawke’s Bay Power Board yesterday by the engineers, Messrs. Vickerman and Lancaster, who, in their report, stated

Active construction work has been proceeding tor eigln months. During this time the main switchgear has been erected, and the bulk of the heavy towers line, and a considerable amount ol country work, the latter totalling 2oUO poles and 200 miles of cable, have been completed. At present we set down the date oi supply as at about the end of May next. Taradale and Grecimicadows.— Supply will be given to these immediately after the main line to iiiaaatu is livened up, at the beginning of April, and iliereaftei to Meeanee, Awatoto and Clive as soon as these lines are tested out. supply to Wiiarerangi is dependent on the delivery of transformers which are, we understand, on the s.s. Northumberland, ft these transformers are damaged and have to be replaced the result will be a delay of some three months in supply to the •1000 volt area.

Country xveticulation.—On our present programme supply will be given as tollows: —Meeauee, Awatoto and Clive areas, April; navelock North area, May. these areas to be connected as soon as the lines are completed and passed by the authorities.

Summarising, we estimate that consumers and loads will be connected as tollows;—April; tl.B. Farmers’ Meat Co., Taradale end Greenmeadows, first section C-ouiity, 26U kVA. May; Napier borougn. second section county, Sol) K\n. June: Hastings Borough, third section County, 1100 KVA. The KVA’s above set down are, wu believe, conservative figures. The above programme could be accelerated, in part only, it the board provided additional labour and transport equipment and another foreman, but in view of tile delays on account ol late ordering or late delivery ol material we do not think such action is justified. It will be noted Chat on account ol tue delay in connecting the boroughs, the load <wili lor a month at least be considerably below that covered by the first year's guarantee. tVe therefore recommend that the Public Works Department be approached with a request that the guarantee amount be uot required until eithei one or other of the two borougns is on Hie board s supply. It remains to indicate the work which still remains to be done on each section, and the probable date when supply will be given ovei same. Main switchgear.—The underground cables fruui the switchgeai will be connected to the overhead lines, and the switchgea.l, tested within the next two weens. The instruments win be c-liecneu alter the system is carrying load.

Lines and Sub-stations.—Lines and sub-stations will be completed to give supply as indicated below: — All earths will require to be rested, protection oi telephone wires completed, and an inspection made by the Public Works Department. Instruments through which the bulk supply consumers are to be charged will be tested in each case as soon as the load is available. H.B. Farmers’ Freezing Works.— The switchgeai towel has to be completed aou the sub-station sii hgear erected and connected ua transformers and oil have been prepared and can now be installed. The meter panel is delivered ready for erection. We anticipate that the above will be completed within one month, by which time the freezing works will be ready for supply up to about 150 KVA. Napier Borough — Construction work on the lines to Napier was held up, by instructions, on account of the delay in arriving at an agreement re the supply of power, the position of sub-station, etc. The main line can be completed to Taradale road, but further work will be delayed until the arrival of tower material ordered last December and now on the water. The sub-stution steelwork is about to be delivered and the suh-stiition can be erected by the time the line is completed to the [lower station. The date of supply therefore depends on delivery, hut should not be later than May and therefore in time to take the heavy winter loading Hastings- Borough.—The date of supply to Hastings, as far as the board is concerned, depends on the delivery of the transformers ordered last October. We expect to be ready as soon as the Hastings Borough, provided that an early decision is reached re the section for the Hastings sub-station.