Central power up 4%

Press, 14 December 1977, Page 2

Central power up 4%

Consumers in the Central Canterbury Electric-Power Board’s area will pay 4 per cent more for power after April 1. The board expects the increase to add $368,000 to the estimated revenue of S92M. The reason given for the rise is the 5 per cent increase in the cost of bulk electricity from the Electricity Department which will also take effect from April. The board's general manager (Mr S. E. Slatter) said the increase could be up to 4-5 per cent, but he recommended 4 per cent. Although the purchase of bulk power had been lower this year than forecast, there had still been a loss of liquidity in everv vear but one since 1973’. The board has decided to support the South Island Local Bodies’ Association in its endeavours to have a differential electricity tariff in favour of the South Island. Mr L. F. Chamberlain said that the matter was tied to the price for liquefied petroleum gas in the South Island, where it was much more expensive than in the North Island. Cheap electricity went to the north. When the mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) led a deputation to the Minister of Energy Resources (Mr Gair) "he did not get a good response,” said Mr Chamberlain. Mr Slatter suggested the board should support the association only if it tied the electricity tariff question to the price differential for L.P.G. The board agreed to do this. The secretary-treasurer (Mr B. W. Laing) said the board’s intention was notified publicly on November 24. No objection had been receivedThe board will seek Local Authorities Loans Board sanction to raise a SIM retb culation loan.