The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1941. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20499, 8 March 1941, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1941. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

Statements made yesterday by the electricity controller show that the danger of a shortage of power during the winter months is a contingency for which the Dominion must be prepared. This situation is a remarkable contrast to that which existed not so many years ago, when all the efforts of the authorities were directed to building up the demand for the hydro-electric power which had been made available. It is almost unbelievable that in so

short a time it should be found

necessary to reverse the process and appeal for a reduction of the demand. The explanation is that the provision of cheap electric power and the de-

velopment of electrical appliances have so popularised the service that it has barely been able to keep pace with the clamour for it. In this fact lies the justification for the policy of expansion embarked upon after the last war, a policy which, at the time, was subject to a good deal of adverse criticism. More than that, it is justification of the excellent system adopted whereby generation is in the hands of the State and distribution is left to the power boards which have been established thrmnffmnt tlio TW

minion. The present difficulties are only temporary and the position that has been reached is one for satisfacl tion rather than complaint. J Prior to the last war, hydro-electric | development, despite its obvious possi-' | bilities, was not rapid, and by 1923 ■ only 54,000 horse power was in use. In the next decade, however, vigorous development was undertaken, with the

result that the horse power available was increased sixfold to 328,000. The heavy expenditure involved resulted in the policy of the then Government being severely criticised, but the position existing to-day is evidence of the wisdom and far-sightedness of those responsible, and the only cause for complaint is that the same vision was not displayed in subsequent years.

Developmental work has never entirely ceased, but it is only latterly that it has been on a scale commensurate with the demand for power. In the last five years a further ■increase of 40 per cent in the available horse power was recorded, but this has not been nearly sufficient to meet the present-day demand. The operations now in progress, however, should result in the deficit being overtaken, and it is possible by the winter of next year, if equipment is obtainable, the power will be sufficient to meet the demand. The scope for still further expansion, however, should not be overlooked and the Dominion should benefit from the experiences of the past.

Even as it is, the record in this connection is a commendable one. Apart from the acquisition of the Horahora plant by the State in 1919, the first step in hydro-electric development in the North Island was not taken until 1922, when a commencement was made with the Mangahao scheme, which was completed in 1925 and from the outset proved quite incapable of meeting the rapidly-growing demand. In 1925 a start was made on the vast project at Arapuni, and the first unit there came into operation four years later and two further units in 1930. Later in the same year difficulties were experienced and the plant was shut down until 1932, when the fourth unit was brought into commission. In the meantime work had boon proceeding at Waikaremoana and power was turned on there in 1929. These four North Island stations are linked together and have a combined capacity of 165,000 kilowats- This, however, is little more than half their ultimate capacity and important extensions are now under way at both Waikaremoana and Arapuni. It may be assumed that when these works arc completed there will be ample power lor all possible requirements, but it must not be overlooked that a similar view in the past has been proved wrong and plans should be laid now for still further future development.

Despite the success of hydro-electric undertakings in New Zealand there has, nevertheless, been a good deal of short-sightedness. It will be recalled, for instance, that for years the

Government was engaged in a controversy with the local power board over the standby plant which the Government insisted should be closed down. To-day the Government is searching the country for plants to

augment the main sources of supply. There was reluctance, too, to reduce charges for current, the authorities failing to realise that lower costs would lead to greatly increased con-

sumption. The chief difficulty, of course, was that the demand exceeded even the most optimistic estimates and to-day the Government, far from looking for an expansion of business, is compelled to ask the distributing board to reduce their loads. The problems are accentuated, apparently, by the inability to obtain sufficient supplies of coal for steam generating plants, and the controller has expressed himself as being apprehensive of the position during the winter. A shortage of power in a country like New Zealand, with such vast supplies of both water and coal, is difficult to excuse and it will be a serious reflection on the Dominion if, in time of war, industry is to be handicapped by insufficient, power.