4.2% rise in power use

Press, 26 July 1977, Page 11

4.2% rise in power use

PA Wellington Electricity consumption in the year to March 31 rose by 4.2 per cent over the previous year. More than ha f the extra used was supplied to the Bluff aluminium smelter. accordin 0 , to the annual report of the Ministry of Energy Resources. The increase in the previous year was 9.2 per cent, according to the report. tabled in Parliament. More than half the additional amount used in 1976-77 was supplied to the Bluff aluminium smelter. according to the report. Preliminary figures indicate the household consumption increased by only 0.9 per cent. A total increase of 8.5 per cent was forecast in May, 1976, by the committee' to review power requirements. Total petroleum imports for the 1976 calendar year amounted to 3.93 M tonnes, compared with 4.15 M tonnes in 1975, the report says. Total petroleum consumption in New Zealand in 1976 was 5 per cent

above that in 1975, principally because of a 53 per cent increase in power station fuel oil consumption, which was higher than expected as a consequence of delayed use of gas at the New Plymouth power station. Industrial fuel oil consumption rose by 5 per cent, w'hile diesel consumption rose by .6 per cent. Petrol consumption fell by 1 per cent. Introducing the report, the Minister of Energy Resources (Mr Gair), said undoubtedly the most important element in the Government’s energy policy during the year was the introduction of a comprehensive pricing policy. “A rational system of energy pricing, which recognised the new value of indigenous energy resources which had been established by price changes in their imported equivalent, and which also recognised product on costs, provided the sound foundation on which we can now build a sensible energy strategy for New Zealand.” Mr Gair said.