GEO-THERMAL STEAM

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 29, 30 July 1952, Page 4

GEO-THERMAL STEAM

Speaking in Parliament last week on the second reading of the Geo-Ther-mai Steam Bill, the Minister of Works, Mr Goosman, stated that the bores at Wairakei showed excellent promise. "We may be," he said, "on the verge of a wonderful aevolopment in New Zealand," It should be noted by people inclined to jump to conclusions that the Minister was refering* to pessibilities, not certainties. Scientists on the spot at Wairakei, when sounded on the prospects, have invariably refrained from making positive assertions. To them it has been from the outset, "an experimental project," and at this stage, it still is. Nevertheless it has been demonstrated that the steam is there, in promising abundance, and at satisfactory pressure. Thus far the considerable expenditure involved in carrying out the exploratory work, and testing the results, has been justified. It is reassuring, therefore, to have froni the Minister the state- # ment- that the work at Wairakei is to be extended and bigger bores driven down, with the objeetive aimed at of a 20,000 watt generating station. It may be inferred from the Minister's remarks that if the Wairakei experiment stands up to practical proof, the Government may survey the prospects of tapping other possible sources of geo-thermal schemes in New Zealand. The big problem this country is up against is an adequate supply of electricity for all purposes. Supplies have been rationed for some years past, and ac/'ording to the head of the State Hydrc-Electricity Department, Mr Davenport, the shortage is likely to exist for some considerable time to come. To take a pessimistic view of the present set-up it almost looks as if, with our increasing population, supplv will never catch up with the demand on the purely hydro-elec-tric basis. Obviously, therefore, if *re">-thermal steam can be successfully barnessed, in substantial output of power, there should be &

reasonable prospect of bringing supply and demand to a satisfactory balance. The Government therefore has^ every incentive and justification for pursuing the geo-thermal project with energy and adequate financial provision. If success is ultimately achieved, as Mr Goosman evidently feels fairly confident, it may be expected that the existence and growth of an important State enterprise at Wairakei, carrying a big staff, will have a perceptible effect on the economy and progress of Taupo. We should therefore be looking ahead and planning to meet a development which is beginning to look like a certainty. It *is significant that the tenancy of the present Ministry of Works staff on the Town Domain Reserve has been textended for a five-year term, and that a substantial housing development for married men is in progresson an area near the river off the Spa Road. It is not surprising that the Government, with an eye to the possibilities of the future, should at this stage make statutory provision for the conservation of geo-thermal steam areas under State control. In future private enterprise looking for steam power will be required to do so under licence. The Government's deeision to take the legislative action in this connection is another indication of increasing confidence in the ultimate result of the "Wairakei Experimental PrGject."