Hydro dam the key?

Press, 24 September 1988, Page 2

Hydro dam the key?

By

NIGEL MALTHUS

Hydro-electric development of the Grey River could provide significant flood protection to Greymouth, the Electricity Corporation said yesterday. Electricorp said it was continuing to investigate hydro-electric development options on the West Coast, including areas of the recently flooded Grey River, as part of its long-term development planning. Corporation staff met the West Coast United Council and the Westland Catchment Board yesterday, and members of the area’s territorial councils over the previous two days, to discuss the investigations.

Mr Brian Cox, Electricorp’s production development manager, said that the talks were aimed at keeping local communities informed. “The investigations were planned before the recent flooding of Greymouth. However, any hydro-electric generation dam built on the Grey River could provide a significant protection to the town from future flooding,” he said. The timing of any new capital project such as a dam and powerhouse, on the West Coast or anywhere else in New Zealand, would depend on demand for electricity, the economics of each scheme, and the commercial advantages of different options. Mr Cox said that the corporation

considered present generating capacity. sufficent for the rest of this century, but it was prudent to investigate all the options for the future. Electricorp had recently completed preliminary investigation on the West Coast and had decided to continue work in the Lower Grey River area. The investigations followed work done a few years ago into the potential for both large and small hydro schemes. At this stage, only “prefeasibility” studies were being undertaken, and a large amount •of investigation would be required for any development, followed by statutory and planning approvals, he said.