GEO-THERMAL STEAM

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 7 May 1952, Page 1

GEO-THERMAL STEAM

PRIME MINISTER AT WAIRAKEI Th Prime Minister, Mr S. G. Holland stopped for lunch at the Wairakei IJotel on his way South on Friday, and took the opportunity of mfcking a briejf inspection otf !the Jeo(4Thenmal Ey^perimental Project there. The experimental work has advanced to a stage when the geo-ther-mal resources can be put to a practical test for the harnessing of the steam for electricity generating. Tests are being carried out in preparation for the installation of a "pilot." generating plant. On the performance of this will depend the decision of the Government whether to proceeed with the expenditure of the large sumi involved in the installation of a major generating scheme. Discussing the work with a representative of the Taupo Times, the engineer in charge, Mr Turnbull, said that the pilot plant contemplafed would be of sufficient power to reveal what weaknesses, if any, might show up in a major installation. Something, he said by way of ilhistration, between a small car and a big car. A small pilot plant would not reveal the same teething troubles likely to be experienced with a more powerful one. The capacity of the pilot would therefore be something on the scale of 4,000 kilowatt power, which would be sufficient to supply a definte answer to the question whether further advance would' be justified. y