SOURCES OF POWER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 11

SOURCES OF POWER

Factors For Consideration (N.Z.p.a. -Reuter—Copyright) SYDNEY, Aug. 31. New Zealand is approaching the stage where hydroelectric power will no longer be economic, according to Mr lan F. Mcßae, head of a Canadian power equipment mission which will arrive in Wellington next week.

Mr Mcßae said in Sydney that the question of New Zealand adopting a nuclear power system would be one of the most important parts of the mission’s talks in the Dominion.

The commissioner of the Hydro-electric Power Commission of Ontario, Mr Mcßae, said that New Zealand must make a decision in the next two years on its proposed nuclear power station at Kaipara harbour, Auckland. “Once the cost of hydroelectric power becomes greater than that of nuclear power, you have to change,” he said, “it would take four to five years from the order being placed for the station to deliver power.

Mr Mcßae said New Zealand had to consider the high cost of transmitting hydroelectric power from its water sources in the South Island to the industrial areas of the North Island.

The eight-man Government power generation equipment mission will arrive in Wellington next Tuesday. While there, members will have talks with New Zealand Electricity Department engineers. Ministry of Works and other officials, and will tour the Haywards terminal substation. The mission, which alms to assess market prospects for hydro- conventional thermal and nuclear power generation equipment, with a view to promoting sales of Canadian-made machinery, will leave from Auckland on Friday, September 9.