CAPACITY OUTPUT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 926, 29 January 1917, Page 10

CAPACITY OUTPUT.

LAKE COLERIDGE POWER. NO MORE POWER CONTRACTS. LIGHTING EXTENSIONS ONLY. The capacity output of the Lake Coleridge power plant has been absorbed, with the exception of a reserve which is to be held for normal increases required by existing customers. The Minister of Public Works has instructed the Electrical Branch of his department in Christchurch to close flown on further contracts for power. The capacity of the present Lake Coleridge plan! is 4500 k.w., and the consumption now is 4000 k.w., leaving 500 k.w. as the reserve for customers' increases. There is no immediate prospect of the output being increased. A fourth unit is on the way, but its installation will not give any greater capacity, as it is intended to act as a stand-by for emergencies. The prohibition of further contracts does not apply to applications for lighting. The peak load is entirely a day peak, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and additional lighting extensions may be made without encroaching on the day load. Lake Coleridge power is now distributed within a 12 mile radius of Christchurch. In the north it goes to Kaiapoi, in the west to Templeton, in the south to Lincoln and Tai Tapu, and in the east to Lyttclton.