HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 113, 6 February 1935, Page 8

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Power From Arapuni Station SUPPLY FOR SOUTHERN HALF OF NORTH ISLAND An interesting point showing the value of the recently completed interconnecting transmission line via Taranaki, between Arapuni power station on-the Waikato River and the southern electrical system supplied from the Government stations at Mangahao and Waikaremoana, was mentioned yesterday by the Hon. J. Bitchener, Minister of Public Works, who stated that for the period from January 1 to January 27, 10,217,000 units of electricity were received on the southern system from Arapuni. Although the ordinary consumer of electricity would not know that his supplies were coming from anywhere but the usual source, this really meant that about 55 per cent, of the power used in the southern part of the North Island during that period came from Arapuni. The reason for this, stated the Minister, was that the JPublic Works Department was taking the opportunity in preparation for growing demands to increase the capacity of the transmission line between Napier and Bunnythorpe. and while this work was being done full supplies of power could not be drawn from the Waikaremoana power station as would normally be the case. As sections of this line were being altered, all substations to the north of the section being worked on would be supplied by Waikaremoana station, and those to the south by Mangahao and Arapuni stations. The work in question is now nearing completion, and when this is done the Waikaremoana station will again take up the work of supplying the bulk of the demand in the southern half of the North Island. ■