RHONE POWER SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 304, 17 September 1921, Page 7

RHONE POWER SCHEME

WILL MEAN MUCH TO FRANCE. The liarnessing of- the Rhone River, while being one of the greatest engineering tasks ever- contemplated, promises wholly to revolutionise French industry by producing electric power sufficient to operate all ' Paris industries. besides providing electricity for lighting and power for a score of cities between the .Mediterranean and the Swiss frontier. T,he hydro-electric station to bo erected at Genissac, it-is estimated, will produce at least 250,0(0 horsepower. while the total horse-power available will exceed 1,250.000. Experts of the Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean railroad who have studied the project declare it will be possible to electrify the entire southern branches t>f the road. Plans of the engineers at present involve two distinct transmission systems, one of 14 high-current, lines.: passing via Dijon to Paris, and another of 14'lines via Nevers. Unless the Rhone’s water supplv fails it will be possible for these lines to carry a constant force of 150.000 watts, or 25 per cent, more than the United States bydro-electrio/record.

In addition to a 220-foot dam at Genissac, it is now Relieved possible to Preet supplementary Mams of 75ft. each nt Malpertius and Bellegarde, to. handle which it will be necessary to provide 1b separate power stations along the river’s course. The Government’s engineers are now studying; the problem of constructing barge canals alongside the liver, whereby it will be ’possible to divert Swiss traffic to French Mediterranean instead of Italian Tt„ is estimated that the project eannot be completed in less than 2b years, but power production would commence within five years if Government ami private capital is promptly forthcoming. French financiers are insisting that this atone promises a wonderful future for French industry, ami are prophesying huge dividends as scon as electricity can be delivered in Parts.