Stand-by Plant

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 4, 26 June 1946, Page 11

Stand-by Plant

ENGINEER'S ADVERSE REPORT POWER IN HUTT VALLEY In response to a request by Mr. S. Blackley the engineer and general manager of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board, Mr. I. R. Robinson, presented a report at the last meeting of the Board on the advisability and probable cost of a standby plant. Mr. Robinson stated that if a plant were installed to be of any real value it would have to have a capacity sufficient to cope vyith the greater part of the Board's load. It would take three year's to design, order . and erect any suitable plant and by that time the Board's load would be about 25,000 K.W., and there would without a doubt be further increases in the future. It therefore appeared that the size of the plant should be 25,000 K.W. The cost of a plant of 25,000 K.W. capacity would be approximately £850,000. If approved by the Loans Board it would, of course, be necessary to submit the proposal to the ratepayers. The total annual costs would be about £65,000. To cover this < :tra cost the Board's tariffs woi have to be increased by 30 per vent. In view of the high cost and increase in tariffs, the time to erect, and the present contract with the Government Mr. Robinson strongly recommended that no action be taken regarding a standby plant. After a long discussion the report was adopted.