INITIAL PLANS FOR BRAEBURN

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

INITIAL PLANS FOR BRAEBURN

PRODUCTION OF 30,000 KILOWATTS / The Braeburn hydro-electric power scheme in Nelson, the work on which the Government has approved, is designed to supply 30,000 k.w., with provision for subsequent duplication. The- restriction of the scheme is announced by the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) in the Ministry of Works statement presented to the House of Representatives. “Preliminary design has been carried out on what appears to be a better alternative scheme with the powerhouse in Tiraumea valley,” says the report of the Engineer-in Chie£ (Mr C. W. O. Turner). “A very favourable aspect of this new location is that the long penstocks of the initial scheme can be reduced to a quarter of their previous length. Geological conditions at the proposed site are now being tested, and if they prove satisfactory design can go ahead.” The year saw virtual completion of project investigations at Braeburn and Benmore (on the Waitaki river), says Mr Turner. A report was being pre-

pared. This station has a potential power production of 332,000 k.w. Existing stations on the river are (I °s-000 k.w.) and Tekapo (25,000 k.w.). The pot 'r ’al development on the river is ; >ut 1.600,000 k.w. against 1,140,000 k.w. on the Clutha river and about 1,216,000 k.w. on the Waikato river.

The potentialities of the Waiau river (draining Lakes Te Anau and Monowai) in Southland were being examined with a view to producing comprehensive development plans to be used as a basis of detailed field investigations, say» the Engineer-in-chief’s report. A possible dam site on the river was surveyed, preparatory to further investigation.