POWER SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19942, 31 May 1930, Page 4

POWER SUPPLY.

A RECORD DEMAND. The southerly storm which descend* ed so suddenly on Thursday afternoon was responsible for heavy demands for power. Though the record in respect of the maximum load at the Lake Coleridge power station, registered on the 21st inst, was not exceeded, the record registered on the samo date in respect of the Addington sub-station was appreciably exceeded. The maximum demand on the power station reached 28,760 k.w., and was registered in the hall-hour between 5 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Thursday's figure was just 100 k.w. below the record registered on the 21st. At the Addington sub-station, the maximum load was registered in the half-hour between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and was 21,110 k.w., or 350 k.w. in excess of the previous highest demand. During the periods of peak loads, the No. 1 unit (7500 k.w.) ie being put into commission, though the final tests of this new generating set have not yet been completed. The Lake LeveL Tho exceptionally dry season experienced this year probably has caused some anxiety regarding the sufficiency of water in Lake Coleridge, especially in view of the Dunedin municipality's experiences with the Waipori power station, and the fact that Canterbury rivers have not had. for many years, <o little water in them. Referring to this important consideration in connexion with power supply. Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon. District Engineer, Lake Coleridge Hydro-Elec-tric scheme, told a reporter yesterday thnt despite the dry conditions experienced, and despite the facts that since the end of February the rainfall at Lake Coleridge has been only 2-£ 'nches, and that exceptionally heavy toads have been recorded, the conditions at the lake, at present, are excellent. The lake level this year is higher than it was in the corresponding period last year. There was. he said, in these circumstances, no need for anxiety.