Power suppliers link up

Press, 23 November 1988, Page 6

Power suppliers link up

By

KAY FORRESTER

The switch will be thrown on the second-largest electricity undertaking in New Zealand on December 1 when the Christchurch City Council’s Municipal Electricity Department and the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board join forces.

Subject to the consents from the Ministers of Energy, Mr Butcher, and Local Government, Dr Bassett, the two authorities will run a joint venture for the supply of electricity. They will service 130,000 consumers, from the Waimakariri River to the Rakaia River, excluding the Riccarton and Port Hills supply authorities’ areas. Only the Auckland Electric Power Board undertaking is larger. The Christchurch City Council has appointed

Messrs Len Seear (who will be chairman) and Bill Broadhead, and Ms Sue Suckling, and Crs Maurice Carter, Linda Constable, Ron Wilton, and Cr Brian Shackel of Waimairi. The C.C.E.P.B. has appointed Messrs Peter Lawson and Tony Rhodes, with Sir Allen Wright representing private-sector interests. Messrs Lawson and Rhodes are members of the C.C.E.P.B. Mr Chris Laurie, the managing director of the M.E.D., will be the managing director of the joint venture.