Cheaper power urged for S.I.

Press, 17 November 1976, Page 3

Cheaper power urged for S.I.

There is a strong case to be made for a cheaper price for. electricity in the South Island, according to the chairman of the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board (Mr L. F. Chamberlain). He told a meeting of the board yesterday that this would encourage industry to establish nearer to the source of cheap hydro - electric power, and thus avoid the large losses incurred in sending electricity to the North Island. “The South Island is still rich in hydro-electric generation potential, particularly with small schemes which could be run in conjunction with irrigation schemes,” he said.

Planning for these schemes should be done on a national basis, rather than by individual supply authorities, as their consumers could carry too much of a load if, on investigation. a scheme proved to be abortive. “The South Island is supplied almost entirely by hydro-electricity, a renew-

able form of energy, whereas the North Island relies to a large extent on thermal plants using non-renewable fuels which have been rising steeply in cost,” said Mr Chamberlain.