DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC POWER

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1928, Page 12

DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC POWER

In the controversy that has been proceeding in the columns of the News over the supply of electrical current by the Taranaki Power Board to the New Plymouth borough, one salient and dominating feature has not been mentioned. It has been shown that the present wire connecting the two systems is incapable of carrying more than 500 to 600 k.w., and that if more power is required it will be necessary to erect a 33,000 volt line at a cost of £12,000. Naturally the Power Board does not want to go to this expense unless it can arrange a satisfactory contract with the borough for the supply of extra ‘ current. The borough, in turn, is not prepared to purchase any more outside power than is absolutely necessary on the present basis, and, further, is apprehensive of the ability of the board to supply even what it has been supplying in a dry period such as was experienced recently. The chairman of the board is confident that Tariki can supply not only all the power required' by its own consumers, but also can “take up the whole load ■New Plymouth is likely to require.” This is the point—can it 2 The demand for current in the New Plymouth district has been rapidly increasing, and shows no sign of slackening. In five years the load has increased from approximately 11G0 h.p. to nearly 3000 h.p., equal to an annual increase of 370 h.p., whilst last year it was 533 h.p. Tariki’s own load at present is in the neighbourhood of 1100 h.p., and as a result of the pressure of the availability rate is rapidly increasing. It is contended that the capacity of the Tariki works is some 4500 h.p., but in a dry summer it is considerably less. Assuming, however, that it is capable of developing the full 4500 h.p., at the present rate of increase in demand in both power districts the works will be unequal to the load in four or five years. By that time, it is contended, power will be available from the Government stations at Waikaremoana and Arapuni; but it is very doubtful if it will be, and Arapuni has yet to be proved a success. Wellington was assured that Mangalno would supply all its needs as well as those of the intervening countryside and the whole of the Wairarapa and southern Hawke’s Bay, but when the dry spell came there was little or no power available, and had it not been for the Wellington City Council’s foresight in erecting their own standby works, there would have been little or no power available. The same thing may happen again. In any case it is unreasonable to expect the Government to go to the tremendous expense of constructing lines to this remote point from the big works without being assured of adequate contracts for bulk power. It is not a business proposition, and for the next decade or two the Idea can be ruled out of the realm of possibility. It la wise, therefore, to look ahead and make pro-

vision locally for future needs. In the Waiwakaiho North Taranaki has a proved supply of water which, if storage is provided, can yield all the power required for the next fifty years. The question is how it can be best stored and utilised. It is a question which, it is satisfactory to learn, is at present engaging the earnest attention of the council and its officers.