SOUTH ISLAND'S BIG INCREASE IN POWER CONSUMPTION

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1949, Page 7

SOUTH ISLAND'S BIG INCREASE IN POWER CONSUMPTION

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb 22

Figures to illustrate the extent to which the load has grown on . the main South Island system were given by the District Engineer of the State Hydro-Electric Department (Mr W. H'. Gregory) to-day. For January, the output of units 1946 was 48,000,000 and the maximum demand 116,300 kilowatts, he said. In 1947 the figures had risen to 50.000,000 units and 127,320 kilowatts, in 1948 to 55,000.000 units and 133.700 kilowatts and last month to 58.000,000 units and 150,800 kilowatts. In 1948, said Mr Gregory, the total number of units generated was 656.000,000, an increase of 80,000.000 units on the previous year. The power allocation of 671,000,000 units had, therefore, been exceeded by 15,000,000 units. These figures, he said, indicated the extent to which the load had increased. in spite of the restrictions on new domestic and industrial connections, As there was a limit to what could be supplied, there was an even greater necessity on the part of every consumer to save power, ho said.