Power-cuts warning

Press, 19 September 1986, Page 4

Power-cuts warning

PA Dunedin Power shortages could be a result of a commercialised electricity industry, said the retiring president of the Electrical Supply Authorities Association, Mr Innes KerrTaylor yesterday. He told the association’s annual conference in Dunedin, that reliability of supply in the long term was questionable under the new rules. Until now the Electric-

ity Division had planned to meet all future loads. But as a corporation it might no longer take that role, resulting in power shortages because the construction of new power stations might fail to keep up with growth. "The Treasury is unconcerned — market forces will act is what it says — meaning more price-rises to cut demand until new generating plant is built,” he said.

New generating plants had a lead time of more than 10 years; new industry took three or four years. If the association lost its role of watchdog on behalf of the consumers power shortages could become a reality, similar to the period after World War II when there were blackouts during the middle of winter at evening meal times, Mr KerrTaylor said.