PRODUCTION OF HEAVY WATER

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 12

PRODUCTION OF HEAVY WATER

New Zealand Project

Shelved ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR HOLLAND (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 17. A proposal to develop heavy water from New Zealand’s field of geothermal steam in the Wairakei area has been shelved. The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) said today that the British Government, with which the New Zealand Government planned to develop the project, had advised that it did not wish to participate.

“This means, of course, that no further action will be taken by our Government on the question,” said Mr Holland.

Mr Holland said that all attention would be concentrated on the development of geothermal steam in the area. Heavy water has been regarded as a valuable aid in atomic power development. Mr Holland said that for some time investigations had been made into the scientific problems involved in the manufacture of heavy water in New Zealand and into the economics of local production. The authorities of the atomic energy station at Harwell had taken a prominent part in these investigations. and had work3d closely with the scientists in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the engineers in the Ministry of Works and the State Hydro-electric Department. “Although these investigations have related primarily to the production of heavy water, they have had an important bearing on the use of geothermal steam for the production of electric power,” he said. New Zealand’s interest in the possible production of heavy water was primarily because of the contribution that New Zealand production might make to Commonwealth defence, Mr Holland continued. “Though it is premature at this juncture to say when the first geothermal power station will be established, it is almost certain that when some experience has been gained other power projects will follow,” he said.

“It is possible that future geothermal power projects may be of interest to the United Kingdom Government in connexion with the production of heavy Water, and liaison will be maintained with it on the development of our geothermal resources in case there may be some future requirement for heavy water which it will be practicable to supply from New Zealand sources,” he said.