Winter warning of black-outs

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 3

Winter warning of black-outs

<A’Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND. April 9.

There might be blackouts at peak power demand times this winter if any of the hydro-electric power stations had a breakdown, the Minister of Electricity (Mr Bailey) said in Auckland today.

One breakdown would cause problems for the Electricity Department. Hydro-electric stations had broken down in the past.

Power demand reached a peak in the early evening, and in the highest peaks of winter the department had all machines running. If the peak could not be met some of the load had to be shed. Power boards had water heaters off at these times, so the onlymeans of reducing load

was to reduce voltage or cut power in some areas. The department was not allowed to reduce voltage more than 5 per cent, so savings from this were slight.

The Minister said that the New Plymouth power station was not yet fully operational, and only one machine would be generating there.

“We hope to have the new station at Stratford working by the end of winter," said Mr Bailey. “It was originally planned for operation in April next year, but we have pulled out all stops to bring it forward.

“But it’s still unlikely to be generating in time to meet the biggest peaks of mid-winter.” he said.