HYDRO-POWER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 136, 11 June 1945, Page 6

HYDRO-POWER

FAR-REACHING PLANS

TEN STATIONS ON WAIKATO P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

In a statement on projected hydroelectric developments the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) said that the plans covered the construction of ten power stations on the Waikato, along a stretch of 115 miles. They would generate 800,000 kilowatts..< The plans for these stations formed the biggest scheme of its kind for one river in the Southern Hemisphere. The water would be used ten times over, and would be brought flown in stages, creating ten lakes in the river. There was one other scheme of its kind in the world —the Tennessee Valley scheme, in the United States. That was, o. course, on a larger scale, but the system was identical. The Waikato scheme would also reduce the velocity of the river and prevent erosion.

The complete Waikato . plan, Mr. Semple said, was already perfected and ready to go ahead, as material and irian-power became available. The construction of the Kairapiro station (on the Waikato above five miles upstream from Cambridge) was well:in hand. This would give a preliminary output of 60,000 kilowatts, and ah ultimate output of 90,000 kilowatts. Another Waikato project, the Maraetai station (immediately above the Arapuni development) was in. its embryonic stage. The higher development scheme .at Lake Waikaremoana was going ahead as rapidly as possible, said the Minister. In the South Island, the Cobb scheme was completed last year; the Highbank plant, near Methven, would begin generation very shortly; and work had been started on the Tekapo scheme. Preliminary investigations and surveys had already been made, or were being made at present, on further projects.in the South Island. Investigations were being made, for instance, in Central Otago, where the potentialities, were wonderful. There a twofold purpose would be served—the provision of power and irrigation.

Mr. Semple said his aim was thai hydro-electric works in the North Island should he developed to the maximum, as he visualised that one day, and he hoped in the not too distant future, it would be possible to electrify the main lines of the railway system.

According to the New Zealand Year Book, the total installed capacity of hydro-electric stations in the North Island is 231.000 kilowatts, and the ultimate capacity of the stations now operating or under construction 'is 386,900 kilowatts. Arapuni contributes 109,300 kilowatts, and has an ultimate capacity, when additional units are installed, of 152,700 kilowatts.