POWER SITUATION

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1055, 16 December 1947, Page 3

POWER SITUATION

“NOT TOO "i HOPEFUL” RATIONING IN FUTURE INCREASE IN GENERATION “The electric-power situation in the- North Island during the next two or three years - does not look too hopeful,” said Mr. F. Matthewson,engineer to the P.B. ElectricPower Board, in speaking to members of the Gisborne Rotary Club the other clay, states the Herald. “It appears that until the dam at Maraetai is completed in 1951-52 we will have at least partial rationing of electric power.” Mr. Matthewson was speaking of the rapid growth of the- electrical generation and distribution systems in New Zealand, and detailed something- of the history of electricity since lie was first connected with it, in 1918.

At that date, only .a few areas, including Gisborne! had electricity and there were only a small number of subscribers. However, an ambitious electrical generation and distribution scheme had been planned for the whole of New Zealand about that time- and although that plan had now been far surpassed it was- the foundation on which the present ' system was laid. Waikato River Potential Last winter the- electricity load was built up to 420.000 horse-power and next winter 510,000 horse-power would be available in the North Island. The potential power which could be developed in the Waikato River was estimated to be 1,100,000 horsepower and nearly 1,500,000 horse-, power could be developed ill the North Island, continued Mr. Maththewson.

Already £33,000,000 had been spent in New Zealand by the Ily-dro-ElectriC' Department in providing power, £23,000.000 of this amount having been expended in tlie North Island. In addition, £29,000.000 had been spent by power boards an other authorities in reticulation. From this capital the department drew a. revenue of £3,100,000. New Zealand was also in a leading position in the world on tho transmission side of electricity, stated Mr. Matthewson. In the North Island there were 1400 miles of transmission lines and within a year a line stretching almost from Auckland to Wellington would carry power at 220,000 volts. A Hue carrying power at 287,000 volts from Boulder Dam to- the cities on the coast of America was the highest powered line in the world, so No" Zealand was not far behind.

At present about 94 per cent, of the population of New Zealand were supplied with electric power, while there were 88-local authorities controlling its distribution. Control by One Man Mr. Matthewson went on to tell how the power loading was controlled throughout the North Island by one man in Hamilton, who by means of various gauges could sec the peak load rising and take the necessary steps to control it, the .most drastic of these being the complete cutting off of a certain area for a length of time. “The- local power board is still under an obligation to reduce loading at certain peak hours, and should there be any particularly cold weather switches may still have to be tripped to ease that load,” continued the- speaker. Low water levels in the lakes last year had proved another worry to those collected with the generation of electricity, but Mr. Matthewson contended that when more dams were built on the Waikato Riui therc would be no .water shortage. Also, Waikaremoana had recovered 10ft. of tho 20ft. of water drained from it last winter and before next winter the syphons would be extended so that the level of the lake could be lowered even further should that be necessary.”