Electrical Engineers Knew Of Coming Trouble

Northern Advocate, 15 June 1945, Page 6

Electrical Engineers Knew Of Coming Trouble

Representations made to the Government about two years ago by a committee of electrical engineers concerned at the position. developing in the supply of electrical energy were detailed to the North Auckland Elec-tric-power Board at Dargaville yesterday by the engineer (Mr T. R. Cverton).

In his report to.the board*the engineer referred to the critical position created owing to the coal shortage at the King’s Wharf generating station and stated that it would be wrong for consumers to think that the board had not raised the question previously. About two years ago he had represented the board on a committee of engineers who had made the following urgent recommendations to the Government through the Power Boards’ Association:— (1) A delegation of engineers with a Treasury nominee should go overseas immediately to investigate and purchase generating plant. (2) To meet immediate requirements up to 1947. existing construction schemes should be supplemented by the immediate installation cf steam, Diesel or small hydro works to a total capacity of VC.CIO k.w. (3) Schemes under, construction should be completed with the greatest possible expedition as a matter of urgent national necessity. Worse Position Predicted (4) Work on main stations on the Waikato. contemplated bui not yet commenced. should start now, and two of these stations should be under construe lien simultaneously. It is pointed out.for example that unless a new major station, other than those at present under construction, with a capacity of approximately 100,000 k.w,, is in operation by the winter of 1948. the position may. in that year, be even worse than at present, (5) Investigation of further hydro resources in the North Island tc provide requirements after 1950 should commence immediately. (6) The department’s policy in connection with small hydro plants should be revised lo enable any such economic sites to be developed in the shortest time and operated in the most economic way. (7) Th£ department should, if necessary, co-opt the services of engineers with local knowledge to assist, in the immediate and complete survey cf small hydro resources. (8) An immediate decision should me made on the matter of steam plant installation. Information on Karapiro “In view of the uncertainty which seems to persist: about the date of production of power from Karapiro. I think it would be advisable for this board, in the interests of its own prospective consumers. to ask the Minister of PublicWorks: (a) The nearest date he can give when extra power will be available from Karapiro; (b) the amounts, and dates, when such power will be available,” the engineer stated. The beard had been instructed by the Electricity Controller to reduce peak load and unit consumption by varying percentages until the position couid be reli-veci, and by the co-operation of consumers the minimum general inconvenience bar been caused. The peak load for the period had been al 6 p.m. on May 3, when an increase of 1C 2 per cent, on tire same period last year had been shown. Units purchased for (he four weeks (not including the period when compulsory cuts were made) had been 20,688 k.v.a. or .94 per cent, less than for the equivalent period last. year. The report was adopted.