HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2624, 25 August 1923, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

THE MANGAHAO SCHEME. In the course of the Public Works Statement, delivered in the House of Representatives last night, the Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) referred to the Mangahao scheme as follows:—“The construction of this work is making substantial progress. On No. 1 tunnel, a length of 81 chains, excavation has been completed, and concrete lining carried for a quarter of the length. No. 2 tunnpl is 1 mile 28 chains in length, and excavation is complete here also, while approximately 27 chains of lining has been done. The excavation and lining of the bypass tunnel is completed. The Mangahao and Arapeti dams are under construction, and good progress, has geen made in spite of considerable difficulty and damage owing to numerous floods. The surge-chamber excavation has been completed, and concrete lining is in hand. Pipe line excavation is completed, and the majority of the pipe-sup-ports placed in position. The power-house construction is now well in hand, and although it has been delayed by shortage of carpenters, it is hoped to have the building sufficiently advanced to enable the erection of the machinery to bo commenced about November. The surveys of the transmission lines to Wellington, Mar ton, Dannevirke and Masterton are completed, and the survey parties are now working from Dannovirke towards Napier, and erection is making substantial progress. “In view of the early completion of this plant, it has been necessary to negotiate the supply contracts with the Wellington City and the seven Power Hoards which have been formed fo undertake the distribution of the power. The scheme is being installed to its full capacity of 24,000 K.V.A. at once, and it is necessary to obtain the greatest possible output from the start in order to ensure financial success.

“The greatest demand—probably. 12,000 Iv.V.A. —will come from VVellington City, and the balance of the power is being reserved for the Power Hoards. But in order to ensure its utilisation and its distribution over the widest possible area guarantees are being asked from each board, dependent upon the reservation of power capacity required for the district concerned. “it is recognised that it will take some years to build up a load in each district to the amount required to be reserved, and the full guarantee is therefore not required until the .fifth year, proportionately smaller amounts being required to be guaranteed for the .earlier year's. Under these conditions only two of -he boards have accepted their full allocation, three have acepted guarantees based on reduced allocations, and two others are not yet prepared to accept any guaranteed allocation. Out of the 24,000 K.V.A. power house capacity there are still 5250 K.V.A. available for allocation. This power will, of course, be given to the first district within reach of the mains that is in a position to give a guarantee to take the power actually available, and with this object in view arrangements are being made to extend the mains to Napier and Wanganui in order to reach a wider market. “Negotiations for the sale of power to the city are proceeding, and it is anticipated they will reach finality shortly.” FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN DOMINION. The following works are provided for: (a) Completion of Manganao to 20,000 kw. in 1924, with transmission lines to supply Wellington, Masterton, Dannevirge and Mai'ton, and with early extensions to Napier and Wanganui. (b) Construction of Arapuni headwords, togethSr with the first three. generating units, amounting to 45,000 kw., in 1928, with additional units of 15,000 kw. each as required; also duplicate transmission lines to Auckland.

(c) The extension of the existing powerhouse at Horahora, which is now in hand, and will be completed early in 1924, bringing up its capacity from 6300 kw. to 10,300 kw., with transmission lines to Auckland, Te Kuiti and Rotorua, in addition to the existing lines to Waihi, Hamilton and Te Awamutu. t (d) The extension of Lake Coleridge by addition of two units, each of 7500 kw. capacity, in 1926. Plans and specifications for the work are ready, and the work will be proceeded with as soon as a definite contract can be entered into with the Christchurch City Council to take the power. The programme for development of Lake Coleridge includes extensions of transmission line to 'Waimate, Oamaru and North Canterbury, in addition to the lines to Ashburton and Tiinaru, which are practically complete. (e) Tn addition to the above, preparations are being made for the installation, of a major scheme at Waikaremoana. This will probably take the form of two units of 10,000 kw. each. In the attached programme this is scheduled for completion m 1928, but will not be undertaken until the power demand in sight, assumes .proportions in keeping with a station of this size. Preliminary investigations have been made of suitable sources for power for Otago, Marlborough, Nelson and Westland.