Money-saving power cuts

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33875, 21 June 1975, Page 16

Money-saving power cuts

Christchurch has had: 21 days of water heating cuts since last; month, according to the Municipal Electricity Department. i | The department’s chief engineer (Mr W. G. John- : stone) said yesterday the cuts

•had varied from a few; 'minutes to well over three I hours. i i There had been seven days; jof cuts last month and 14; idays of cuts so far this! • month. | Mr Johnstone said that the J middle of the winter was • almost here, he did not - anticipate any increase in the number or duration of cuts. He also did not think there would be any Governmentimposed cuts. Mr Johnstone said the average duration of the cuts so far would- not have affected the supply of hot water in homes having the average 40-gallon tank. People in homes with ' smaller tanks might have been inconvenienced by less hot water. The cuts were, made through the ripple control system at peak load periods, ••when it was necessary to • transfer power to other • channels. The cuts did not mean any saving in actual power but '.they saved consumers I money. I Mr Johnstone said that if | the cuts were not imposed, 'Christchurch’s electricity bill i for an average year would [increase by about $500,000 ! which would have to be iborne by the consumers.