POWER AGAIN FROM TEKAPO

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 3

POWER AGAIN FROM TEKAPO

(.Veic Zealand Press Association) TIMARU, January 14. The only power station in the Mackenzie Country, Tekapo A. began generation today after a seven-week shutdown.

The Tekapo A power station ceased generation on November 26 to allow hydro construction work on the Upper Waitaki power project to proceed. Tekapo A is not a part of the new project, which ultimately will contribute 848,000 kilowatts to the South Island grid from four new power stations. Tekapo A was completed in 1951, and has a generating capacity of 25,200 kilowatts. The station was closed for a similar period last summer. the traditional good weather minimising the power consumption. The Ministry of Works and Development completed steel and concrete work at the station’s tailrace during

- the shut-down to permit installation of a gate at a [future date. This can be done ( without, interrupting the sta--itioh’s generation. t! The station’s outflow is now passing down a 2500 ft f canal before being diverted - into the Tekapo River. In )(March a further 7500 ft seciition of canal will be opened, r to carry the outflow to the - Forks Stream before diversion back into the Tekapo 3! River. i In 1976 the completed r canal will extend for 16 -Smiles across the plains to i[the first new power station ?!on the Upper Waitaki project. This will be Tekapo B. Lon the eastern shore of Lake ijPukaki, with a generating t capacity of 160,000 kilo-; ; watts.