FREE STATE DEVELOPMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19021, 17 August 1925, Page 5

FREE STATE DEVELOPMENT

ELECTRICITY 111 IRELAND A GERMAN CONTRACT, Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 15. The Berlin correspondent of the 1 Daily 'Telegraph ’ states that the Siemens ami Schuckort agreement provides for four generating stations, with an aggregate of 9U.U00 h.p. and a distribution of 288,000,000 kilowatts annually to all parts of the Free State. A Dublin message confirms the agreement. It states that tho preliminary portion of the scheme involves an expenditure of £2,500,000. The total cost will bo £5,200,000, for which the whole of the Free State will bo supplied with electric lighting and power.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

POWER FROM THE SHANNON CRITICISM OF GERMAN SCHEME. Writing in April last, the Irish correspondent of ‘The Times’ stated:— For many years the electrification of the Shannon has appealed to tho imagination of tho Irish people. In tho past it was often cited as an example of how Ireland would make use of her natural opportunities when she had won her freedom. For some months the project has been assuming definite shape, and has now reached a stage that permits of critical examination.

The genesis of the present scheme is to be found in a document dated February, ]l)2-f, in which the Government of tho Irish Free 'State agreed witli Messrs Siemens and Schuckcrt that their firm should prepare a scheme for tho electrification of the Shannon. Such scheme was, inter alia, to bo supported by “binding estimates of cost,” and was to justify tho undertaking as a “commercial proposition.” Among other provisions in the agreement, Messrs Siemens were to be allowed the option of carrying out tho work themselves should tho Government decline to do so, and wore to he given a preferential position as contractors at a minimum tender. Tho wording of these conditions is obscure, hut they leave no doubt that Messrs Siemens aro placed in a favored position, and that, under the terms set out, the ordinary safeguards of open competition would apply only in part, if at all. Tho further unusual provision occurs whereby Messrs Siemens, while acting as contractors, are to bo allowed to draw the specifications for work they themselves may he called upon to execute. The Government at tho same time protects itself by taking power to sever all relations with Messrs Siemens, after the production of their report, for a sum not exceeding £IO,OOO. Messrs Siemens’s report has been in the hands of the public for about a fortnight. It is voluminous, and contains much technical detail. In effect it recommends tho electrification of the river by two stages. The first, or partial development stage, is to produce about 150,000,000 units, and to cost approximately £5,000,000. Tho final stage will produce some 250,000,000 units, and cost an additional £2,UUU,OUO, making a total of £7,000,000. These proposals have been examined and subjected to certain modifications approved by lour experts of European repute. Beyond slating that they Lave already provoked considerable hostile criticism from .Irish engineers, it is not proposed to refer lo tho technical or engineering aspects of the scheme. Both Ireland and Great Britain aro, however, closely concerned with the economic and financial side of tho project, certain features of which are distinctly disquieting. 'The particulars of cost in Messrs Siemens’s report appear only in summary, and there aro no supporting details,'schedules of quantities, or price rates. When questioned on this matt or during the recent debate in the Senate, the Minister in charge vouchsafed no explanation. _ There is no attempt lo state what price will he charged to tho consumer. Though the project is to he a coimncrcial undertaking, (ho Enrojiean experts say no such figure could at present ho ha/.arded. The plans are not available for inspection by the interested parties whoso lands will ho nfl’eclod. The. projest, partial or complete, does not propose to deliver current beyond certain slated points. Over tho "greatm' part of Die country there exists no organisation lor distributing tho current, beyond these points, and no suggestion is made as to how this work will be organised and financed. Nevertheless, assuming current lo he taken at the bulk rates given in the.report, (ho present consumption must be treble 1 Indore the scheme can become a paying proposition. An attempt was recently made by motion in the Senate to have the whole project further examined in its economic and financial bearing, especially with regard to tho potential growth of any demand for current. Tho Government has taken up tho lino that Parliament is tho proper authority to judge of such mat tors, and the Dail has already passed a resolution approving in principle of the proposal._ Tho necessary legislation is to bo introduced at an early dale.

Instructed public opinion in Ireland lias grave doubts about the wisdom ol so largo iiu expenditure of Government money at the present lime and in view of the country's financial position. _ The main strength of any opposition lies in the belief Unit Hie project is being rushed, and that .Parliament is being asked io approve an expenditure of about 20 per cent, of tho national revenue on wholly inadequate data. There is further grave uneasiness at Hie possibility of the work being undertaken without independent designs and specifications followed by competitive lender and contract. This last is a matter that should ho of vital concern to Great Britain, .Ireland's largest trade customer.