POWER SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25610, 27 September 1948, Page 6

POWER SUPPLIES

GAP IN SOUTH ISLAND

AFTER 1953

REVIEW BY MR A. E. DAVENPORT

(P-A.) DUNEDIN, September 25. “I „ have not much comfort to offer Jrou, except that restrictions will not ast longer than can be helped,” said the general manager of the State Hydro-electric Department (Mr A. E. Davenport) addressing the conference of engineers and secretaries of the New Zealand Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association, in Dunedin to-day. In the North Island, Mr Davenport said, there were some 265,000,000 units available in an average year, although there might be less in a dry year The shortage of units was nevertheless a serious factor. By early next year, the department would have faped the problem - of the “dewatering” oi the Maraetai dam, said Mr Davenport. When that had been done, it would be possible to know how much longer it would be before the project would be completed. Reviewing South Island wprks, Mr Davenport said the works at Pukaki had been put into operation. Generation in the South Island was about 11 per cent, higher than a year ago. It might be possible to give some measure of relief, but not much, before the end of the year. % “Until the spillway at Pukaki is completed by about the end of next year, generation does not seem likely to increase in'the South Island,’ v Mr Davenport said. “Another improvement is the installation at Waitaki of a fifth unit, which will assist in peak loading. “These should see us through until Tekapo is in operation. Much has still to be done at Tekapo, but it is hoped to have the plant in operation for the winter of 1951. This should see us through until 1953, still with a restriction of 5 per cent.” There would be some uncomfortable Eeriods in times of low water flow, Mr •avenport said. Roxburgh, with its prospective 350,000,000 k.w-, was a big job. It was a £13,000,000 project, and could not be done in less than six years and a half.

“Gap Must be Bridged” , “From the end of 1953, there is going to be a gap and it must be bridged,” Mr Davenport said. “We must get men and materials without drawing from Roxburgh. We have under consideration these factors: the Dunedin decision to go ahead with two more plants at Waipori, which will be in operation in the critical year of 1953, the control of Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, which will control the flow of the Waitaki river, a station to be built later at Black Jack’s Point on the Waitaki nyer. another station on the Waitaki river, and a possible station of 110,000.000 to 120,00({.000-unit output at the outlet to Lake Pukaki. “Those are the things we think we b „r do ’” said Mr DavenJ 1 d ? n * know of an y other possibledevelopments, having regard to the ciehvery of plant. With the completion of Roxburgh, the South Island S mu^ d b t T °i Ut Power troubles.” ine Nelson-Marlborough supply position was briefly reviewed by Mr Davenport. It was not likely that the Cobb scheme would be operating before 1952. and if was proposed to discuss the question of the power supply for the period between 1950 and 1952 with local authorities, he said. 1 ar ? ff May be Raised” Electricity is the life blood of the community, Mr Davenport said. Anv failure m supply was of very serious consequence to all. and the duty fell on all members of the conference' 1o ensure continuity, and an adequate and unrestricted supply of power. The department and the Government appreciated that to the very fullest extent in common with many other vendors of goods .it had been necessary to reconwnend to the Government that • j bulk supply be raised, said Mr Davenport. The department had received valuable assistance and co-operation from the association.