Growing Electrical Demand

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 6

Growing Electrical Demand

NEARLY 200 NEW CONSUMERS IN CITY DURING PAST YEAR

“The value of the power bought from the Power Board in 1939 was £30,239 as against £27,295 during the previous year, the increase in the average k.v.a. bought being 340 k.v.a.," stated the city electrical engineer (Mr. J. W. Muir) in a report to the Palmerston North City Council on Monday evening concerning the operations of his department for the year ended March 31, 1939.

“The average annual cost of power per k.v.a. was £8.96, as against £9.12 the previous year. “The total cost of the power handled was £30,162 10s 2d, against £27,586 3s 7d, an increase of £2576 6; 7<J. These figures take into consideration the allowance made by the Public Works Department on account of the power plant being retained as a standby plant. “The power station plant, the substation transformers and switch-gear, distribution lines aud transformers are all in good running order, and no serious breakdown with either transformers or plant was experienced during the year. The power jdaut was run at the request of the Public Works Department for approximately one hour on March 8 and for approximately 10 and 12 hours respectively on March 29 and 30.

“The number of new consumers con nected during the 3 - ear was 183. as against 166 the previous year. “The number of new electric ranges connected to the mains during the year was 175, as against 83 the previous year. This is a very pleasing increase and will help to bring our average uearer that of some of the other supply authorities, although we are a long wav’ behind Christchurch, where the number of electric ranges is almost one to every two houses."