HORAHORA MISHAP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 5

HORAHORA MISHAP.

POWER FOR WAIKATO.

KING'S WHARF STATION.

WORTHILY FILLS BREACH.

Comment inp on the recent stoppage at the Horahora power station, the general manager of the Auckland Power Board. Mr. R. H. Bartley, to-day submitted the following official report:—

'"The performance of the plant at King's wharf station during the pa&t week is, I think, of sufficient interest to place on record. Immediately following the unfortunate mishap at the Horaliora Government Hydro Station, the King's wliarf plant commenced to supply power to the Waikato district, and has continued to do so throughout the whole of the L T p till Wednesday the plant was supplying 3000 to 3400 kilowatts, and arrangements were made at Penrose to increase the switchgear capacity which liad been the limiting factor, enabling 11s to place at the Government's disposal approximately 5000 kilowatts. Last Wednesday we were able to supply to the Government 5200 k.v.a., and during the peak load of Thursday we supplied 5900 k.v.a.. which represents a load of approximatelv 6200 killowatts at Kings wharf station. To this amount must be added, at least. 2000 kilowatts, which, in the ordinarv way. we would have been receiving from Horahora. making in all a benefit of at least 8200 k.\\a. conferred upon the Horahora plant. The units fed back tr> the Government system on Thursdav last were 102,000. The peak load, which was carried over a considerable period by the King's wharf plant, was 25,110 kilowatts, and the units generated for that day were 4412,470, representing an increase of 164.000 as compared with the corresponding day of the previous week." Value of Emergency Plant.

"I am pleased to that wc had no difficulty in steaming with this loxi. and estimate that we had nearly 2000 kilowatts in hand at the period of our heaviest loading. This provides a very useful illustration of the capabilities and possibilities of the King's wharf plant and is what we have always contended, although the opportunity of proving it has not occurred until now. It has been necessary to work three shifts on our coal, and we have been forced to reduce our reserves considerably, but have made arrangements for these "to be replenished as soon as possible. Steaming at this rate and the use of higher calorific value coals will, no doubt, add to the cost of our brickwork repairs in the boilers, but. Tinder the circumstances, this position could not be avoided. I should also add that we have found the installation of the rotary converters, which were designed for straight and inverted running, a very big help, as they have enabled us to make the fullest possible use of the D.C. plant installed in the station."