POWER POSITION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 101, 1 May 1945, Page 3

POWER POSITION

WARNING ISSUED

CONDITIONS NOT GOOD

An indication that difficulties might be experienced during the coming winter in connection with the supply of electricity was given in a letter from the Electricity Controller, Mr. P. T. M. Kissel, which came before a meeting of the Auckland Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon. Mr. Kissel said that last year the hydraulic conditions at the two hydro stations were extremely good, but this year, so far, they were not good. River flows were low and lake levels continued to fall steadily. Already the level of Lake Waikaremoana was lower than the lowest level during the past five years. On the other hand, the weekly system peaks showed a fairly regular tendency to be well up compared with last year.

Suggestions Made As the question of weekly disconnection lists might become a live one, Mr. Kissel suggested that the board should review the provisions of the electricity control order of 1943, and see that they were strictly enforced. Consumers should be asked to avoid unnecessary use of electricity, and not to use electric radiators between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on week days. ,

Mr. Kissel said the procedure this year to control the load would be the same as that of previous years. Commencing on the second week in May, supply authorities exceeding their allocations, would be notified each week that they were on the defaulters' list, and in times of emergency the load-dispatcher at Hamilton would either arrange for a 5 per cent reduction in voltage at all main stations, or, if this were not sufficient he would instruct substation operators to disconnect the supply, in part or whole, to those supply authorities on the defaulters' list for the week. The sub-station operators would notify the operators concerned of the instruction, if possible, before the actual disconnection. In each case the duration of the emergency would be approximately indicated.

Comprehensive Report The chairman, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, moved that the matter be referred to the general manager for a comprehensive report. He pointed out that it was necessary for the board to have some power of penalty apart from cutting off power. The general manager, Mr. R. H. Bartley, said that he had pointed out the difficulty of keeping watch on offenders owing to staff difficulties. He considered that this coming winter, and possibly next winter, would be the most difficult times.

The chairman's motion to refer the matter to the general manager was carried.