ARAPUNI POWER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19056, 2 July 1936, Page 14

ARAPUNI POWER

TWO EXTRA TURBINES PROGRESS OF INSTALLATION Steady progress has been made with the additions to the • power-house at Arapuni to provide accommodation for four more turbines of 20,000 kilowatts each. The site lies immediately to the south of the existing building, and occupies a portion-of the old river-bed. A large section of the hill overlooking the power-house has been removed and thousands of cubic'yards of concrete have been laid for the foundations, which have to be built up for another 40ft. before the floor level is reached.

The present programme provides for the installation of two additional turbines, although there will be room on tTIe present site for four. Part of the machinery from Nos. 7 and 8 turbines has arrived and is being placed in position, while the remainder is expected within the next few months. Nos. 5 and' 6 turbines will not ’be included in the presont programme. The penstocks for the new generating machinery were put in when the head-race was built and little remains to be done to complete them. The building will be finished. before the heavy parts of the turbines are, placed in position. It is expected' that a year will elapse before the present programme is carried out. there are 140 men employed on the construction work in hand.

All ■ four turbines are operating in the existing power-house, and steadily increasing demands for power throughout the Auckland Province and in portions of the 'TaranaJfi. Province are being met by/ the station.