Power blame questioned

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33454, 8 February 1974, Page 3

Power blame questioned

CN.Z. Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 7. It was futile for the Labour Government to blame the present energy shortage on the former National government, the Opposition spokesman on energy resources. Mr L. W. Gandar (Ruahine) said today. He was commenting on a reported statement of the Minister of Energy Resources (Mr Freer), which, said Mr Gandar. implied that delays in coming to an agreement on the Maui gas field had

helped cause the present energy shortage. “The Minister should tell the country a little bit more about the reasons why he is ! not using the generating i capacity available to him,” , Mr Gandar said. I “With Marsden’s 240 > megawatts idle; with a large proportion of Otahuhu’s ’ generating capacity idle; I with the first two generators . at New Plymouth waiting to commence operation, the ■ reason for the electricity • shortage is simply the Government's decision not to bum the necessary oil at i these stations.” > However, Mr Gandar said, s last year was very dry, r] which had increased generating difficulties. t] “Why does the Govemj'ment not give the country

the facts on the failure to use the generating capacity available?” he said.

Was it the fuel shortage or was it the refusal to pay the cost of the necessary fuel that was the main cause of the present electricity shortage? Mr Gandar said that Mr Freer said earlier this year that shortages could be overcome but only if importing countries were prepared to pay a very much higher price. “Now Mr Freer is trying to place the blame on difficulties in negotiating the development of the Maui gas field.” he said. “This is unfair and misleading and the Minister’s own 1973 White Paper on the development of the Maui gas field proves this point.”