GREY POWER SCHEME.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1927, Page 3

GREY POWER SCHEME.

REPORT OF ENGINEERS. The report of Messrs Vickerman and Lancaster (consulting engineers) to the Grey Power Board on the best source lor power for the district contains the following recommendations: — In view of results disclosed we can only recommend the Board to abandon steam in favour of hydro generation, and because it is a scheme of convenient size, as well as being easily accessible and one which should lie capable of completion within eighteen months after being commenced, wo recommend adopting the proposal to dam the Crooked River. AA’itli regard to the steam plant, this will, it hydro generation is adopted, have to be regarded as a stand-by and a nucleus staff retained at the station to maintain it in good running order and to bo available in case of a breakown in the hydro installation. In our calculations of comparative costs wo have regarded it in this light, and have included a charge of £'6ooo per annum on this account. Generally, therefore, we are of opinion that the existing plant should in the future bo operated as conditions determine hut that under no circumstances wifi expenditure on additional steam units be justified. With reference to the pure-base of power from the Kumara water race installation, there is un question hut that if power we're obtainable there now. this course' would be advisable, but if there is likely to be much elei’ay in this power becoming available, its utility as a stop gap will cense, for, as shown above, it must be regarded in this light seeing that the rates proposed are much higher than the cost- of generation would be if the Board had its own hydro-electric installation. AA’e have referred to tho absence of definite information ns to the amount of flow of the streams which it lias been proposed to harness and we strongly recommend that steps bo taken to remedy this and to accumulate, correct data, so that when, as must inevitably happen, future Boards are considering Further power developments, they may have figures available which are above criticism.