DROP IN POWER DEMAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 151, 12 April 1950, Page 4

DROP IN POWER DEMAND

SOUTH ISLAND STILL ABOVE QUOTA EFFORTS MUST BE FURTHER IMPROVED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 11. Power consumption in the South Island decreased last week, but it had to be remembered that the Easter holiday period was included. Taking that into account, the excess of consumption over the allocation was still 2.4 per cent. This was a hig improvement on the previous week, but further efforts were required if storage were to be held at a safe figure, stated the General Manager of the State. Hydro-electricity Department (Mr A. E. Davenport) in his weekly circular, sent to-day to South Island power supply authorities • During the week 3,500,000 units were taken from storage. At the moment there was a prospect of improvement in the amount of water available, but reduced consumption must continue for some time before relaxation could be justified, as the draw upon lake storage was already several weeks ahead of what could be considered as safe, ; Mr Davenport warned South Island consumers that electric radiators should not be used where any other form of heating was possible. Unless there - was adequate rainfall the power position could develop beyond the present stage and become serious. If that was to b e avoided, the co-opera-tion of all consumers was necessary. Small Gain in Storage Although heavy rain fell along the Alps yesterday, the position was still far from satisfactory, said the assist- - ant district engineer in Christchurch (Mr E. E. James). He warned consumers to continue to exercise rigorous care in saving power. The weather had now cleared or was clearing, and the gain -in storage had been slight. “There was a good- rainfall over the whole system,” he said. “We gained the equivalent of 1,420,000 units of storage; but that is only a small gain and can easily be lost if power demands rise. We do not expect the benefit to last long.” There remains only one foot of controlled storage in Lake Taupo, and unless the level improves more rapidly than can usually be expected, more severe power restrictions will be required soon. The situation is made worse by the continued excess consumption, which last week was 55 per cent above the allocation, and by the colder weather. This warning of the seriousness of the power position in the North Island was given by Mr Davenport in his weekly circular to all North Island power supply authorities. Last week was the first week that the 10 per cent, reduction in power allocations operated in the North Island. It was important for all consumers to realise that their co-operation was necessary if there was at this late stage to be any hope of avoiding really harmful restrictions, Mr Davenport stated. DAY’S WORK A WEEK MAY BE LOST (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 11. The prospect of Auckland industry having to cut down to a four-day week owing to the power situation was put forward by the engineers of the Auckland, Waitema,ta and Franklin- Electrie Power Boards to-day. This was seen hs the likely outcome if, through lack of savings now, the 25 per cent, power cut as foreseen by the Minister had to he imposed at the end of this month. They said that a 25 per cent, reduction would not be equivalent to more than a whole day’s consumption in industry, homes and farms, and would not be obtained by voluntary savings. This heavier cut was no empty threat, said the spokesman for the joint standing committee of the three, boards. If consumption was not reduced by 10 per cent, during April it was likely that the department would have no water storage left. This would seriously reduce the generating capacity with the risk of the. collapse of the supply system if the demand exceeded what could be provided.