Power Loads Still Likely To Be Restricted

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5286, 24 December 1946, Page 6

Power Loads Still Likely To Be Restricted

GISBORNE, last. night. • Compulsory electricity restnclions are to he reintroduced in the North Island in tlie new year. The Electricity Controller, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, in 9 letter to the Poverty Bay Power Bopvd. p-rite" that the permissihle increase in load as from January -1 will be tnree per cent. only, subjoct to downward vevision ii' abnormal conditions in the water storage area re■quire it. The increase will he ealeulated on the highest weekly con.-Himp-tion ra the corresnondmg wec-ks of 1MT 1945 and 1946. Mr. Kissel states that to siippiv a thveo per cent. increase the department will require at lenst average river flows next year and will have to draw heavily on storage during the summer. "Probably during March , we shall lose the oulput of Horahora, as the stntion will be su'bmcrged," he said. "This will represent a loss of 12,000 kilowatts on the peak of an average of 1.800, CH) units a week for several weeks until Karapiro Lake is fillod | and the new installation is tested out. j Unfortunately, this is a timo when the load eommences to rise steeply, aceordijig lo weather and hydro conditinnv, "The supply position during the next few months until Karapiro is onerating may be critical. I have to ask, therefure, that your consnmption of power +'rom now onwards and until further notice is held stvictly to a three per cent. increase or is 'urthcr reducod in accordanee with any direetions issued from time to^ time by the load dispatcher at Hamilton." j