POWER CRISIS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27426, 12 August 1954, Page 10

POWER CRISIS

Council Committee To Meet Today SHEDDING OF LOAD LIKELY When the Christchurch City Council’s electricity committee meets this afternoon, the Municipal Electricity Department’s electrical engineer (Mr G. H. Battersby) will put before it proposals for meeting the situation likely to arise if the water storage for the South Island power system falls below 32,000,000 units. At that mark the system would be reduced to little more than river flow, and to about 60 per cent, of its productive capacity. When Mr Battersby was asked last evening what action would have to be taken if storage falls below 32,000,000 units, he said his recommendations would be before the committee today. There would be a very substantial-re-duction on the load in the M.E.D. area from about 6.30 a.m. to about 10 p.m. each day.. The area would receive less power than it needed to meet normal requirements, but he expected it would be able to provide essential services. Some sort of load shedding would probably be necessary throughout the day. There was some rain in the catchment areas yesterday, and although it was reported that the weather cleared from the south about the middle of the day, and that further frosts seemed likely, later reports indicate that there may yet be more rain. Whatever the effect, it cannot be measured for a day or two. Rain is certainly needed. At 9* a.m. yesterday water storage amounted to 44,940,000 units, the drop in the previous 24 hours being 1,220.000 units. On Tuesday power consumption In the M.E.D. area was 1.3 per cent, above allocation.