POWER SUPPLY LOADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24211, 28 February 1942, Page 6

POWER SUPPLY LOADS

LAKE LEVELS MAINTAINED TWO NEW UNITS COMING [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Friday Although power supply authorities were asked to limit their loads to not more than 4 per cent above the average for the corresponding period of last year, they had not been able to do ' so and loads showed an average increase to-day of 6 per cent, said Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, Chief Electrical Engineer, Public Works Department. However, because the summer had been particularly wet and more v-g.ter than was usual had been available, they had been able to carry and they hoped to continue to do so until the additional plant being installed at Lake Waikaremoana became available at the end of the winter to relieve the situation. Until then power supply authorities were still being asked to limit their load to not more" than 4 per cent above what they received last year. Up to the end of last week the water in Lake Taupo was up to the top of the control level and it was still there, although at one period there had been a temporary reduction of 2|in. Lake Wai-, karemoana was full, but the level at Mangaone varied. Two additional units, each of 21,000 kilowatts, were just about to be shipped, and it was hoped to have one of these in place at Waikaremoana at the end of the winter. Labour difficulties, such as securing of skilled fitters, had been experienced, but in any event work would have been held np by lack of delivery. A tunnel 16ft. wide and a mile and a-half long would be completed by the time the required plant arrived. There was no definite advice as to when the two additional units ordered for Arapuni would be shipped. The position, it appeared, would be - much the esame this winter as last winter. At least it would be no worse, said Mr. Kissel.