THAMES VALLEY POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5132, 30 May 1927, Page 4

THAMES VALLEY POWER.

OPERATIONS OF BOARD.

REPORT BY CHIEF ENGINEER.

The following report covering the operations of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board for the 12 months ended March 31 last was prepared by the chief engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod, for the last board meeting : — “I beg to submit my report upon the- operations affecting the board during the year ended March 31, 1927. This is the seventh year since the constitution of the board, and is the sixth year in which power has been made available by the. board to its consumers. There has been q considerable increase in the connected load during the past year, and a correspondingly increased maximum demand.

“The operation of the system has improved considerably during the past year, there having been less serious trouble due to major stoppages than during the previous year. This has been brought about largely by the duplicate supply made available from McLarens Falls, which station, to-gether-with the Grand Junction steam plant, has been assisting the Horahora supply during the year.

“The question of power supply i g likely to demand very serious consideration shortly owing to the delay which is taking place in construction at the power station site at Arapuni. There has so far been no official communication from the Government on the matter, however. “The construction of the Government 50,000-volt line across the Hauraki Plains, from Bombay to Waikino is a.lmost completed, and will shortly be put into service. The board’s work in connection with the new feed point at Kerepeehi has been completed, and the lines are- ready for taking power from the department’s temporary substation, which will soon be giving supply. The permanent station is not expected to be completed until about February, 1928. “Three synchronous condensers have been installed during the year, one each at Matamata, Morrinsville, and Turua. The first two have been operating for two full quarters, but the Turua set for the last quarter only. The average peak load power factor for the year has been increased nearly 5 per cent, by the operation of the condensers, but this should bo bettered considerably next year, when the sets will have had the complete period in which to operate. "Voltage regulation has been considerably improved by the' operation of the condensers. Without them conditions, would have been much more difficult than they have been, especially on the Hauraki Plains. However, the new’ feed point at Kerepeehi will make a considerable difference even on the present position. “The department has been investigating regarding a feed point at Matamata, which is the load centre for the southern end of the board’s district. When the station is established there., control will be made much more easy and a still better seivice will 'result.

“Construction work lias been much reduced during the past year. The route mileage has increased only 62 miles, as against 152 miles for the previous year, and the circuit mileage 99(2 miles as against 207 miles for the previous year.

“The board’s section for tree-plant-ing at Waitakaruru has been surveyed for contour, and the ploughing of an area of about 50 acres has almost been completed, preparatory to being planted with seedlings, from the State Forestry Department. “Figures concerning operating conditions indicate an increase of approximately 40 per cent, in the number of units purchased, the- total for the year being almost 20 millions. The kilowatt demand shows an increase of approximately 22 per cent., while the k.v.a. demand increased only 18 per cent. This indicates the improvement in power factor which '"'as mentioned previously.

“The figures for demand show satisfactory increases, and the figures for costs show satisfactory decreases; but the- revenue per kilowatt of de-

maud shows a decrease of over 4 per cent, compared with last year. This of itself is not a bad tendency, but the cost per unit is approximately one-fortieth of a penny greater than the revenue received. An investigation is being made of the conditoins now obtaining, and a report upon the matter should be available within two months.”

On the motion of Mr F. E. Flatt the report was deferred for one month to enable the engineer to be present.