NORTH ISLAND POWER CRISIS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25139, 21 March 1947, Page 6

NORTH ISLAND POWER CRISIS

20 Per Cent. Cpt On Quota RADIO HOURS REDUCED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 20. An emergency order was gazetted to-day requiring all electric supply authorities in the North Island to reduce the weekly unit consumption of electricity by 20 per cent, on the quota allocated by the Electricity Controller for tnis year. Announcing this the Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan), on behalf of the Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) said it would be necessary for the order to remain in until the electric supply position in the North Island was assured. Mr Sullivan also announced a further reduction in broadcasting hours. “At the beginning of this year it was estimated that, until new generating Slant had, been put into commission, le load would have to be restricted to a 3 per cent, increase on that of last year, but in spite of all appeals to restrict consumption, the increase up to the middle of this month averaged more than 8 per cent.,” said Mr Sullivan. “Lack of sufficient rain at the hydro stations, coupled with the excessive demand for power, has resulted in a most serious depletion of our water resources, and in the absence of voluntary economies it has unfortunately become necessary to impose widespread power cuts. “Limiting the use of power by frequent and lengthy disconnexions in supply caused considerable inconvenience.” he added, “and consideration has therefore urgently been given by the Government to the introduction of measures whereby the load can be restricted to the required extent, but at the same time ensuring that |he supply of electricity would, as far as practicable, be available for most essential purposes.” Domestic Hot Water

Mr Sullivan said that serious consideration had been given to a proposal to prohibit the use of electricity for domestic hot water services. The conclusion had been reached, however, that to make this provision man* datory could operate harshly in certain districts, where all or a substantial part of the necessary saving could be effected by other means. It had therefore been determined to delegate to electric authorities the necessary powers to arrange the adjustment in the way best suited to the needs of their consumers, but with a proviso tjiat disconnexion of hot water services could be made if such course were considered unavoidable by the supply authority. It hhd also been necessary to provide in the order that unless the means of achieving the required reduction decided upon by the supply# authorities were effective, then it would become mandatory upon electric supply authorities to disconnect immediately all domestic electric hot water services.

“The Government, too, has given very full consideration to various suggestions received for the saving of power, such as the complete shutting down of broadcasting stations except for very limited hours, the closing o£ shops at an earlier hour, the prohibition of shop window lighting, flood lighting of buildings and sports areas, and a substantial reduction of street lighting,” ~Said Mr Sullivan. “Shop window lighting and flood lighting of buildings are already prohibited, except to a very limited extent, and further reductions in these directions will be a matter for consideration by the supply authorities to whom the necessary powers are delegated under the order.

Broadcasting Hours “As a contribution to total saving, it is unfortunately necessary to restrict the. hours of broadcasting still further to a total of six and a half hours each day. Until further notice, broadcasting will be limited to the hours of 9 a.m, to 11 a.m., 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., and 6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays inclusive. The reduced broadcasting hours apply to stations throughout the country. “Up to the present power used for street lighting has been limited to 80 per cent, of the power used in 1940, but in future the consumption of electricity for this purpose must be still further reduced, making a total reduction of 50 per cent. / “A difficult problem before the Government is that numerous essential industries must be maintained with sufficient electricity—consequently freezing works, dairy factories, milking sheds, cool stores, and also hospitals are being safeguarded to the maximum extent.

“Why so much emphasis has been placed on domestic water heating is the fact that, all electricity used throughout the North Island, approximately 325,000,000 units of electricity, or 25 per’cent. of the total, are used for that purpose. With this load in some cases partially or even totally disconnected, the limited power available can be distributed to the better advantage of the community. ( “Provision has been made in the order,” said Mr Sullivan, “for the chief executive officer of each supply authority to consider an application in his area of supply for the reconnexion of any water-heating service which has been disconnected, and where thereby has been created substantial hardship, due to serious sickness or infirmity. Coal for Steam Plants

“Arrangements are being made by the Mines Department, the Railways Department, the Shipping Controller, and the Electricity Controller for additional supplies of coal to be made available for the steam plant at King’s Wharf, Auckland, and Evans Bay, Wellington, although it must be recognised that this may mean the diversion of some supplies from domestic and industrial requirements. “The Government deeply regrets the necessity for this emergency measure, but the reduced level of the lakes, caused by the excessive demand for power and accentuated by drought conditions, leaves no alternative possible.

“I sincerely trust that the measures now* being taken to restrict consumption will operate with a minimum of inconvenience to the public generally, and I wish to assure them that the restrictions will be removed at the earliest possible moment. I appeal to the public to co-operate with supply authorities in carrying out these regulations.

“Finally,” said Mr Sullivan, "it would still be possible to minimise the restrictions and to limit the period if consumers will undertake reasonable economy in their individual households.”