MORE POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 15

MORE POWER.

TO MEET DEMAND.

AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK.

WORK AT PENROSE

It is expected that additional power for Auckland will be generated from the Government sub-station at Penrosu within the next week, to assist the Auckland Electric Power Board to maintain an efficient service until such time as the Arapuni hydro-electric scheme is completed.

Work on the three Diesel engines at the sub-station is now nearly finished. All the additional plant has been erected, and satisfactory tests were -carried out yesterday afternoon. Certain minor adjustments, however, have yet to be made.

The additional "juice" is being made available in accordance with a promise made by the Government that an auxiliary plant would be provided by June in order to assist the Power Board over the winter months, when electrical demand is at its peak. The Government's policy in pushing ahead with the plant was induced by the delay at Arapuni and the difficulties experienced with the construction of the power house. The actual installation of the plant has been carried out within four months., and a staff of fifty experts and labourers has been employed continuously. Each engine will be capable of supplying 1250 k.w., and .it is anticipated this will be ample to counteract any shortage of power that might occur during the winter months. It will be possible to generate current and feed directly into Auckland as and when required. Provision has also been made to feed in to the Horahora transmission lines, which will rfive the city supply a double security.