Top last year for KCEPB

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 496, 27 July 1993, Page 4

Top last year for KCEPB

A better-than-ex-pected profit and steady progress in other areas of operation marked the final year of the King Country Electric Power Board. The board, which was replaced by King Country Energy Limited at the end of June, recorded a pre-tax profit of $1,054,022, compared with the budgeted $900,000. Waimarino darts On Tuesday 20 July Waiouru dart club came down to the Waimarino club for their six monthly challenge. Unfortunately the visitors were unable to take back the shield. The results were Waimarino 46, Waiouru 34. Highest start went to Sue with 140 after a playoff with Greg Windle. Highest score went to Popey with 160 and highest finish to Chris Windle with 90. The ladies were thanked for a lovely supper and all those who helped out. The Bulletin ad deadline is 5pm Fridays. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Ironically, last winter's power crisis was a major help, with the board earning about $300,000 in credits from ECNZ for savings made during the crisis. Chairman Ken Street said in his annual report that the rainfall that caused water supply problems for Taumarunui's AFFCO works, provided a twofold benefit for the board. The early closure of the works helped reduce the board' s peak load during the crisis, and enabled maximum hydro generation at the Kuratau and Piriaka Power Stations. Mr Street said domestic customers reduced their demand by 2.13% over the year, and by at least 10% during the crisis months. Prior to the crisis, overall saies had been 5.9% ahead of the record 1991/92 year. Because of the energy reforms the board had begun a three year process to remove the cross subsidies that previously existed between non-do-mestic and domestic customers. Larger customers had their total bills re-

duced by up to 30% in anticipation of competition, while domestic prices rose by 9.2% and commercial tariffs by three percent. A major push to shift customers onto off-peak use saw more than 100 night-store heaters installed during the year, while three new installa-

tions, each using more than 100,000kWh, were commissioned during the year. Upgrading work on Mt Ruapehu included laying a new double circuit on-ground cable from the Chateau to the Top 'o the Bruce, which has allowed more development on the Whakapapa Skifield. Work in Ohakune has

centred on undergrounding the town centre, in conjunction with the Ruapehu District Council and removing lines made redundant by the new line to Turoa Skifield. SIow ski start Unit saies by King Country Energy in June continued to reflect the mild conditions, the July directors meeting has

been told, impacting heavily on the company's cashflow. Saies for June were down nearly seven percent on the same time last year (last year's bet-ter-than-average ski season has distorted the figures somewhat - saies for the year to date are up 1.16% on the 1988-1993 average.)

Local directors are confident that there will be an up-turn, one way or another. Ohakune director Bill Peach (who has motel interests) says the snow season is completely flat in his area because of the lack of snow, but he believes skiers will still come, once more snow arrives.