WORK ON N.I. END OF STRAIT CABLE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 13

WORK ON N.I. END OF STRAIT CABLE

(New Zealand Press Association)

■WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. Work on the North Island end of the inter-island power transmission should be in full swing by mid-1963. Starting dates for construction of fines from Oteranga Bay, Makara, and extensions to the Haywards sub-station depend on the delivery of material. A big shipment of steel, for transmission towers, is expected at Wellington on Christmas Eve from Italy. Construction of the lines should be started by March, with 40 to 50 men on the job. The recently - completed Manor Park, Haywards, camp will house about 120 men, including 30 working there now.

The New Zealand Electricity Department has already made a 6|-mile road over rugged hills from Makara to Oteranga Bay. The British Insulated Callender’s Cables Company has contracted to bring the cables ashore at Oteranga Bay and make necessary connexions.

The laying of the cables is expected to be completed in March - April, 1964. The power systems of both Islands will be linked by a direct current system giving high efficiency and low cost. The change from alternating to direct current will take place at Benmore power

station in th. south, then Haywards, to be fed into the North Island network. Four large synchronous cOndensors, electrically similar to power generators, will be installed at Haywards. These form an essential part of the power conversion equipment. There will also be a large quantity of ancillary equipment.