WAIRAKEI POWER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30497, 20 July 1964, Page 9

WAIRAKEI POWER

Uncertain Of Potential ‘(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 19. It is taking longer than expected' to assess the final potential of power t<? be harnessed from • the Wairakei geothermal field, the project engineer (Mr A. C. L, Fooks) said in Taupo yesterday. “It cbuld be very much, bigger, but we cannot predict anything for certain,” he said. At present Wairakei i* producing 170,000 kilowatts, more than 20 per dent of the North Island’s ’ generating capacity, . The first two stages are now operating but the third —which uses drawn off hot water flashed into steam — has; not yet reached its fullest potential. Lack of- water recently caused the stoppage of the pilot hot water system, which was-producing 5000 kilowatts. “It was changed over to c’arry steam into the station and is now producing more than 5000 kilowatts,” said Mr Fooks.

The official target for Wai--raker was 150,000 kilowatts with the hope that by the end of stage three 250,000 wouldbe available. Mr Fooks said: “At the moment it is impossible to put a date on the 250,000 target. We . cannot assess what is going to happen to the water flows in the field.”