DEMAND FOR POWER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 199, 23 July 1926, Page 3

DEMAND FOR POWER

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES. SUPPLY FROM MANGAHAO. Some concern was expressed at tlie annual conference, of the Electrical Power Boards’ Association yesterday in Wellington regarding rumours that water was short at Mangahao. A. delegate com- - plained that the current being received was “jumpy.” . S' Mr E. A. Ransom (Dannevirke) submitted a remit requesting the Government to expedite tne completion of the Weikaremoana scheme owing; to the ever-increasing demand made on Mangaliao. POSITION EXPLAINED. /

Mr F. T. M. Kissell, chief electrical engineer of tho Public Works Department, explained that the position in regard to Mangahao was that a peak load of 17,960 k.w. was provided for, and the'plant had a.capacity of 24,000 k.w. In a long dry spell they might have to -call upon steam and other plants to help them out, and contracts had been made with the owners of these plants to supply power, winch would be supplied to Mangahao customers. It was not anticipated that the Government, would be short of the amount of power it had guaranteed to supply. Tho Mangahao scheme had been commenced at a time of peak prices, and it had consequently cost more than if undertaken at the present time. The department, therefore, was justified in loading up the plant to the greatest possible limit in order to get- some return on investment as soon as possible. The scheme was returning more now than the successful Lake Coleridge scheme dkl in its first, or even its second year. They bad been able to pay 2 and 3 per cent towards capital charges after meeting costs, and next year they hoped that Mangahao would pay interest charges. A commencement', continued Mr Kissell, had been made with the Lake Waikaremoana scheme, and all that was possible had been done there. Two months ago tenders had been invited, for 40.000 k.v.a. in two units, winch would be connected with the two transmission lines at Napier. The department had entered into a contract to supply power within three years of the date of signing that, contract, so that by the winter 0f»1929 the department hoped to have 40,000 k.v.a. connected with tho Mangahao scheme.

MORE CURRENT AVANTED. Mr A. J. McCurdy, chairman of the Hutt Valley Power Board, stated that the board had guaranteed 300 k.v.a. for the year ending March 31, 1926, hut 1300 k.v.a. had been paid for at the end of the March quarter this year. It had been anticipated that thore would be 4500 consumers by March 31, 1930, but at tlie end of last month, 18 months after tho current had. been turned on, they had over 4700 consumers. In view of these facts he would certainly support the remit. The remit was carried.

Mr J. C. Cooper (Wairarapa) asked if tho department would grant power boards extra current from Mangahao in order to enable them to extend their operations. Mr Kissell: Certainly not; I intend to keep as much up my sleeve regarding Mangahao as possible. I will give you extra power from AVaikaremoana if you like. Mr Cooper: That is too far off; we want the current now.

In view of the explanation the chief electrical engineer had given, it was deemed unnecessary to wait upon the Minister of Public AVorks on the matter.