Power board may act as Chathams consultant

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 9

Power board may act as Chathams consultant

The Central Canterbury Electric Power Board, which is withdrawing from its management of electricity reticulation on the Chatham Islands, may remain involved in a consultative capacity. The board has decided not to renew its contract, which expires at the end of June, and the Chatham Islands County Council is expected to take over the day-to-day running of electricity supplies under contract to the Ministry of Energy. However, the council still wants a technical back-up, and has invited several electricity supply authorities to submit proposals. The Central Canterbury Electric Power Board yes-

terday approved a proposal which would see it act as the consultant for a retainer of $2OOO a year. Additional services would be provided by staff from the mainland on charge-out rates based on staff salaries, plus a 20 to 30 per cent mark-up for a profit margin, said the board’s deputy general manager, Mr Alastair Robertson. The biggest item was likely to be inspection costs when an inspector would go to the islands for about a fortnight a year, he said. Day-to-day running — such as meter reading — would be the council’s responsibility. The council is also likely to take over the

employment of two electricians on the islands, previously employed by the Internal Affairs Department on secondment to the board. A board member, Mr Laurie Manion, sought an assurance that board engineers would not be involved in “hydro schemes” and “inventing excuses to go the islands.” Mr Robertson said there was no intention of the board’s becoming involved in electricity generation, which is by diesel generators. That would remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy. The board hopes to submit its proposal to the council in time to receive a reply at its June meeting.