PLANNING FOR POWER

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 19 September 1959, Page 15

PLANNING FOR POWER

‘Supply Adequate Till April, 1965’ (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 18. Until April, 1965, the power supply in both islands should be satisfactory, according to the planning committee on electric power development which tabled its report in Parliament today. But, the report said, it was clearly necessary that as soon as the consultants’ report on the Cook Strait cable was available the committee should give urgent consideration to the steps to be taken to cope with the Nbrth Island prbblem from April, 1965, onward. The consultants’ conclusions on the Cook Strait, cable were expected to reach New Zealand about the beginning of November. The planning committee, in a review of progress on works already authorised, stated it had paid particular attention to the troubles being experienced at Wairakei with certain ancillary equipment and discussed steps to iron out difficulties. It had approved estimated commissioning dates, the only reservation being the supply of sufficient quantities of modern plant to enable the estimated dates to be realised. In general, stated the committee, it could be said that all works yet to be commissioned were either up to schedule or ahead of schedule. The estimated commissioning dates for stations were: North Island Ohakuri, April, 1961, to April, 1962. Waipapa, April 1, 1961, to November 15, 1961. Atiamuri, April 1, 1962. Maraetai 11, June 1, 1963, to October 1, 1963. Aratiatia, April 1, 1964, to November 15, 1964. Wairakei 11, April 1, 1962, to February 1, 1963. South Island Roxburgh, ~pril 1, 1961, to April 1, 1962. Benmore, April 1, 1965, to July 1, 1965. All these dates provided for the installation of certain number? of generators. The estimated installed generating capacity for the South Island stations over 1959-60 to 1965-66 was: Cobb river, start at 32 megawatts. Arnold, 3.06 megawatts. Lake Coleridge, 34.5 megawatts. Highbank, 25.2 megawatts. Tekapo, 25.2 megawatts. Waitaki, 105 megawatts. Mcnowai, 6 megawatts. Benmore (1965-66), 180 megawatts. Waipori, 44.6 megawatts. Roxburgh, 160 megawatts rising to 240 megawatts in 1961-62, and to 320 megawatts thereafter. The position in the South Island was more favourable than in the North. Actual units generated for public supply in the South Island for the year ended March 31 were 1785 million, and the peak demand was 379.3 megawatts, against the respective estimates of 1855 million units and 385 megawatts. The estimates of South Island requirements over the next five years did not anticipate overtaking this position and the forecast requirements of 2370 million units in 1962-63, with a peak demand of 492 megawatts, was 6 tier cent, below the figures for the same period shown in the 1958 estimates. This position may correct itself, but the committee believed the trend and all its implications should not pass unnoticed.