Electricity sales rise ‘could have benefits’

Press, 21 April 1982, Page 3

Electricity sales rise ‘could have benefits’

“Healthy” increases in sales of electricity by the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board could have beneficial spin-offs for consumers when the board considers future tariff increases.

Figures presented to the power supply authority’s board meeting yesterday showed that 356.2 million units had been consumed in the year ended March 31, an 8.34 per cent increase on the previous year. Significant increases in the number of irrigation plants being installed by farmers were seen as a contributor to the higher sales figures. “The figures also indicate that our domestic consumers are getting the message about electricity being a more economical and viable effergy source than . . . less socially desirable alternatives,” said the board’s chairman, Mr Colin White. He said that some of the board’s cost increases between now and early next year when the 1983 tariff was set could be absorbed by the increased electricity sales.

“This will more than likely have a beneficial effect when

we consider the level of next year’s tariff increase in response to the Government’s yearly increase in its bulk electricity charge,” he said.

Power to nakaia Work was progressing well to supply power for the first time to several consumers living in remote areas along the Rakaia River.

The estimated cost of $lOO,OOO for the 5.2 km of new line would be shared by the consumers and a Rural Electricity Reticulation Council subsidy. The council administers a fund made up of levies from all power supply authorities in the country and is specifically geared to helping rural consumers obtain new line connections. Castle Hill wiring Plans for supplying underground wiring for the Castle Hill village development near Porters Pass were discussed at the meeting. Reliable and efficient power supply to the area was seen as a key to the development’s success.

The board will buy power from the Electricity Division at the most convenient point of supply, and then reticulate into the area from that point. -Details of the project are not finalised.

Switchboard purchase

The board authorised the purchase of an llkV switch-

board on behalf of Alex Harvey Industries, Ltd, at a cost of about $200,000. The board will provide $20,000 towards the cost.