Engineer’s Warning On Future Use Of Power In North Island

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23315, 26 July 1950, Page 8

Engineer’s Warning On Future Use Of Power In North Island

AUCKLAND July 25

The North Island would never be able to be extravagant with electric power, although there need not always be a shortage of power, Mr. C. M. Gray, chief engineer of the Waitemata Electric-Power Board, told members at a meeting yesterday. He was replying to members who suggested that, taking a long-term view, consumers should be encouraged to use power. “There will never be a time in the North Island when we will be able to waste electric power ” said Mr. Gray. “There is a shortage of hydro-electric power sites which prevents all our electricity from being provided bv this means.

“I do not mean by this that we will have power shortages that cannot be overcome. The demand for electricity will have to be built up by coal-burning or similar plants. But electricity from these sources costs more to produce and we will not be able to afford to waste it." Mr. Gray said that the Standards Institute would be shortly making suggestions which would ensure the maximum efficiency in the use of powerconsuming devices.

As an example of the need for saving he mentioned the loss or' units when electric hot water cylinders were placed too far away from sinks. If the total length of pipe between the cylinder and the tap was 25ft. a loss of 10 units a week could be expected, he said. If the distance was reduced to 15ft. the loss was reduced to six units a week.