POWER SUPPLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 February 1947, Page 6

POWER SUPPLY

THE SOUTH ISLAND SHORTAGE CONSIDERED LIKELY NEXT YEAR POSITION ON WEST COAST The West Coast will be involved in a power shortage that is likely to be general throughout the South Island by next year and little improvement in the position can be expected for several years. This view was expressed last , evening by the engineer of. the Grey Electric Power Board, Mr. S. W. J. Trotter, when he reported on his attendance at a conference of South Island power authorities at Christchurch last week. Mr. Trotter stated that there may not be any trouble this winter. Reporting on the conference, the chairman of the board, Mr. J. B. Kent, said that the trend of opinion appeared to be .that controls should not be instituted until absolutely necessary. Future loads should be closely watched to save hardship arising. After much discussion the conference had decided that the North Island control of space heating be adopted if necessary. It had been proposed that the manufacture of radiators above two kilowatts be prohibited, but, until nec- , essary, it was not essential ’to reduce the present load. With reasonable climatic conditions, said Mr. Kent, severe restrictions would not be necessary for some time. New Hydro Works. “The building of the Clutha hydro works will take a long time, I think,” said Mr. Trotter, “and. we are going to be in the cart until then I am afraid. I don’t think, though, that there will be any trouble on the West Coast this winter, except, perhaps, on a few isolated occasions. “The authorities are banking on this happening and on that happening to avoid a shortage,” he added “but it is unlikely that all these favourable things will happen and there is cer-; tain to be a shortage within a year or two and some system of rationing will be needed.” He added that once the Clutha system was completed the South Island could forget about power shortages for many years.

In reply to a question the engineer said that he considered it would take ten years to complete the Clutha scheme, though five years was the official estimate. A start had not yet been made. “There might not be a shortage here such as in the North Island,” stated the chairman. “If sufficient precautions are taken I do not think anyone will get hurt.” Shortage of Labour. Members expressed concern at the fact that all available man-power for the construction of hydro works was concentrated in the North Island, but the engineer pointed out that there was insufficient labour in New Zealand to cope with the whole situation. “With this labour shortage there is not a happy outlook for rural reticulation, is there?” asked Mr. P. Blanchfield.

“It is going on,” replied the chairman, who added that power would not be reticulated throughout the whole of the Dominion. “I think that some consideration should be given to the future of the South Island,” said Mr. J. Mulcare, discussing the programme of hydro works. “What can we do about it?” asked the chairman. “We are seeking the Government’s approval to the elimination of space heating.” Mr. Trotter stated that neon signs would be eliminated after that and other night lighting. “We haven’t got the labour to spread over the country,” he said, adding that materials might become so scarce that new electric ranges could not be installed. There had been a great increase inpower consumption each year, he added. “And it will keep on increasing,” said the chairman. “We will just have to try to keep our load down during the winter,” the engineer added. CONSUMPTION IN GREY , DISTRICT

ENGINEER REPORTS LARGE INCREASE The electric energy purchased from the Grey Electric Power Board during the last quarter of 1946 was 8,000,000 units, practically 1,000,000 units more than the 7,102,000 units bought in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The demand last year was 5680 k.w., compared with 5392 k.w. during the final quarter of 1945, while the cost of power for the three months up to December 31 was £10,733 15/-, almost £7OO more than the £10,061 expended during the corresponding period of the previous year. These figures were given last evening by the engineer to the Grey Electric Power Board, Mr. S. W. J. Trotter, who reported to the board on the large increase in the annual consumption of electricity. Nev/ Connections. Since the last meeting of the board, the report stated, nine new consumers had applied for connections, and permits had been issued. Eight new consumers had been connected, bringing the total number of consumers to 5507 and applications to 5545. During the month, the report continued, 26 permits were issued for alterations to existing, installations, 50 extensions were completed, and nine ranges and seven water heaters [installed. The connected load for the month was as follows, the totals being in parentheses:—Light, 3.540 k.w. (2299.535 k.w.); heat, 17 k.w. (6557.660 k.w.) J water-heat,. 9.300 k.w. (901.010 k.w.); .power, 5 h.p. (16,151 h.p.); cooking, 63.950 k.w. (7819.200 k.w.). The load at the last [meeting was 33,528.835, the load for the month was 98.790, and the total 33,627.625. Mawhera Quay Improvements. The line staff was engaged mainly on maintenance, reported the engineer, principally in Greymouth and Runanga. The line along Mawhera quay was being reconstructed to give better supply to consumers along the street. Routine earth testing and inspection of substations was carried out and nearly completed. The line along Brunner track from Taylor-

ville was inspected and necessary maintenance carried out. Mr. J. B. Kent presided at the meeting, and also present were Messrs. J. Ryan, A. L.. McKay, P. Blanchfield, W. E. Pring, L. N. Downes, W. McGilchrist, J. Mulcare, and W. Clayton. Messrs. Kent, McKay, and Blanchfield were appointed to represent, the board at a meeting to be he.d on February 25 to discuss the form of the war memorial for Greymouth. The delegates were given a free hand to vote on the proposals submitted to the meeting. The Secretary to the Treasury wrote authorising borrowing by way of hypothecation of debentures issued in respect of the Reefton Company purchase loan of £20,000. The secretary, Mr. W. S. McClyrnont, explained that the authority, might not be required, but would prevent the overdraft being exceeded at the end of the year. The use of the board’s seal on January 21, on the transfer of £5OO Government stock from Waipuna Dredging Co. to the board, was confirmed. ~ The debit balance of the Powei Fund Account was £ J. B ’ stated the secretary, m his report. Revenue for January from P° we accounts only, totalled £4356/5/-. MINISTER INSPECTS TWO MAJORJROJECTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 14. Satisfaction with the fact that two big power projects connected with tne Waitaki scheme were now getting into their stride” was expressed today by the Minister of Works (Mr. R. Semple). These are works at Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, which Mr. Semple visited last week. The Minister said he was pleased with the progress of the two projects, because of their importance in meeting the rising demand for power. He said a new turbine and generator for the Waitaki scheme should be operating before the end of. wmtei next year, if delivery was made & scheduled, and that the building of a new generating station at Tekapo should be under way next year. The work is planned to cope with the rising demand for power and its early completion is a vital necessity for the South Island power supply.