“WHITE ENERGY”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 3

“WHITE ENERGY”

INCREASES IN HAWKE’S BAY DEMAND FOR SECOND YEAR DOUBLED. The demand for hydro-electricity in Hawke’s Bay having exceeded all expectations the position has become such that the Public Works Department has made an agreement with the Hastings Borough Council to purchase power from that body’s plant should the necessity arise. The chairman, Mr. J. B. Andrew, informed the Hawke’s Bay Power Board yesterday that to-day the board's maximum demand was 1768 k.v.a., whereas it had only guaranteed the department to take 800 k.v.a., which went to show how hydro-electricity was forging ahead and to meet the increased demands the department was making agreements with local bodies for "standby’’ plants. Arising from a resolution at the previous meeting the Works Committee reported that the Napiei Borough was now taking 576 k.v.a., Hastings 504. H.B. Farmers, Whaktu, 273, Borthwicks 192, and the Hawke’s Bay County area 400 k.v.a. By the end of 1928 it was anticipated that there would be a demand lor 2500 k.v.a.

The report stated that the board had guaranteed the department to take 800 k.v.a. the first year, 100 the second, 1200 the third, 1600 the fourth, and 2000 the fifth. To meet the increased demand the committee recommended that the annual guarantees be increased to 1200, 1600, 1800, 2400, and 3000. Mr. Scott pointed out that for 1928 Hastings needs were estimated to be Q5O k.v.a., whereas during last winter they reached 750 at peak and next winter he expected it would be over 850. Mr. Andrew: When we get over the next year we will be all right. The committee feels that we should increase our guarantees so as to encourage the department in pushing on with Waikaremorna.

Mr. Kettle: I think we should take 2000 k.v.a. for the second year instead of for the fifth.

’Mr. Callaghan: Next year we will want that amount so why guarantee only 1600? Mr. Andrew’ Once Waikaremoana is ready we shall have nothing to worry about. The board then decided to inform the department that it was prepared to take 2000 k.v.a. during the second .year instead of the fifth year as originally arranged.