POWER SHORTAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1941, Page 10

POWER SHORTAGE

ECONOMIES NEEDED

DEMAND EXCEEDS OUTPUT

APPEAL TO ALL USERS

In the comparatively few years since electrical power was made widely available in New Zealand the demand has increased phenomenally, and each year at a progressively faster rate, encouraged by lowered charges, extended reticulation, and greater availability, new uses and conveniences, and a continued campaign by supply authorities to enrol yet more consumers who would use brighter lights, cook,, heat, sweep, be amused, and generally get the idea of the all-electric home. New industries have developed and been encouraged by cheap power, old industries have scrapped other movers and put in electric motors. More motor traffic meant more highway lighting; suburban railway services began to change over to electric traction.

Then the war broke out and heavy equipment essential to increase output from hydro-electric stations has been so long delayed that it cannot be installed in time to meet the heavy demand this winter. Demand has exceeded hydro station capacity for many months now and steam stations, buring coal and expensive imported oil fuel, run steadily. The extension of Summer Time through the winter months is some relief, but economy by all consumers must now be exercised. The problem is particularly acute-- in the North Island. In a general survey of the position last night, the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) said that all the North Island's generating capacity was overloaded; nothing was in reserve. The Wellington and Auckland steam stations required a very large quantity of fuel, the Auckland station alone using as much as 500 tons a day. The mining industry, workers and owners, were doing all they could to make the coal required available and railways and shipping companies were co-operating. Given normal weather and river flow, the maintenance of coal supplies land freedom from breakdown, it might be possible to avoid restrictions upon tb use of power, .said the Minister, but there were too many "ifs" in the position to feel safe about giving a full supply of power from now on. 5 PER CENT. VOLUNTARY REDUCTION. The present demand for electricity was about 10 per cent, greater than it was last year, continued the Minister. If it were only 4 per cent, higher the position would be safer, and he suggested that if all consumers would reduce their requirements by 5 per cent, there was every prospect of not having to ration the supply. He therefore appealed to all consumers to coI operate with one another and with th' who were striving to maintain' supply and economise as much as they possibly could. "For your own sake it is essential that from now on no electricity is wasted," concluded Mr. Sullivan. "If this is done there is every prospect of ther.: being sufficient electricity available for all the essential needs of the community."