ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11253, 4 July 1922, Page 4

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

THE MIDWINTER LOAD COPING SATISFACTORILY WITH PRESENT NEEDS. FEARS FOR NEXT WINTER. The mid-winter months are Ht anxious period for the officers of the city electric lighting, for during this season the plant at the power station is under the greatest strain, consequent upon the increased demand for lighting and heating. Some anxiety was occasioned at the beginning of this winter, when it teas realised to what an extent the capacity of the station was being taxed, and in order to reduce the load upon it, the council decided, in March, not to make any additional connections for lighting and private power unless under exceptional circumstances. At the same time, an appeal was made to consumers to curtail a 9 much as possible the use of current, and not to allow power to go to waste. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) yesterday stated to a “New Zealand Times’’ reporter that the policy of no further power connections was being strictly adhered to, and that so far the power station was able to cope with the demand upon it, thongh still under , pressure. The demand upon the machinery was now at about its heaviest, and he did not anticipate any trouble during the next few months till tho advent of summer. But next winter, continued the Mayor, would be a most critical time, for every year the load was increasing with the development of thd city. There was no doubt that more drastic restrictions than ever would have to be imposed to enable the plant to survive during those months. “I fear, judging by the present appearance of things,” remarked Mr Wright, “that we can hope for no relief or assistance from the new powerhouse at Evans Bay by then, for it is not likely to be completed till towards the end of the winter, and the date of completion of the Mangahao scheme is not altogether certain. At all events, I cannot imagine that it will be ready within the next twelve months.” The contractor for the erection of the new power-house, whose offer was accepted by the council last week at £32,383, has already commenced operations, and is at present engaged in preliminaries for tne construction of the shell of the building. In abont a fortnight the work should be under way. The City Council has not yet received the report of the board of experts who have been inqoiring into the pros and cons of the suggested increase in the voltage of the city reticulation.