GROWING DEMAND

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 214, 4 June 1924, Page 8

GROWING DEMAND

USE OF ELECTRICITY IN CHRISTCHURCH “POSITION MOST| SERIOUS” By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, June 3. “The position in regard to electricity supply in Christchurch is a most serious one.” That statement was made to the Christchurch City Council by the Mayor (Air. J. A. Flesher), in reviewing the growing demand for electricity by consumers in Christchurch. , , . r Flesher said that the city had reached its maximum load for electricity last Thursday. At 4.30 the load reached the remarkable figure of 6300 kilowatts. The city load had increased enormously of recent years. In 1919 it was 2625 kilowatts, in 1920 2996 kilowatts, in 1921 3601 kilowatts, in 1922 3645 kilowatts, in 1923 4560 kilowatts, and in 1924 5640 kilowatts. Those figures were for the respective years up*, to March 31, yet already a maximum of 6300 kilowatts had been reached. It had already increased by 11.8 per cent, over last year’s maximum. “And yet,” he said, _ “we have only just begun to experience the winter load.” The power house at Lake Coleridge had a maximum load of 13,180 kilowatts on a plant which should carry a load of only 12.000. It could take an overload only to 13,500 kilowatts. That was its capacity. This was the first winter with the new plant. “I do not know what will happen in two or three years’ time,” said Air. Flesher. “The council can look foiward to an increase in the power demand in the next few years. Then what is to happen when the power house has reached its maximum load? That, too, is without taking into account the growth of demand in the countrv districts of the province of Canterbury. The position in regard to electricity supply to the city is a most serious one, and it is only right that I should give these particulars to the council.” The Mayor’s statement was not discussed.