BIG EXTENSION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 8

BIG EXTENSION.

Doubling Powerhouse at Arapuni. TWO MORE GENERATORS. (Special to the "Star.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. Blasting operations are being carried out at Arapuni in preparation for the extensio of the powerhouse to double its size. Two new generating units are on order. The penstock tunnels for them were completed some time ago. Later two more units will be installed The additional units are to be of the same power as those originally installed and will bring the power up to 108,000 k.w. It was considered more economical to enlarge the building up to its full size at the present time, so that when additional generators are required they may be placed in position without further building operations. The present work involves an extension of the foundations, building down stream. The original contractors declined this work, on the ground that satisfactory results could not be obtained. The contract was terminated and the Public Works Department assumed control. The original equipment consisted of three generators each of 18,000 k.w. A fourth of the same capacity was afterwards installed. They are all served through penstock tunnels on the upstream side of the headrace. Recently the Minister of Public Works stated that the demand on Arapuni and Horahora had reached such dimensions that an early extension was imperative. The total capacity of the two peak loads was 70.000 k.w., and the peak demand of 1933-34 was 56,700 k.w. It was estimated that it would take two and a half years to carry out the new work, and by that time it was estimated that the peak would have reached 66,000 k.w. At the present time about 100 men are employed in removing rock for the foundations. A needle dam is being constructed in the Waikat > River to provide dry conditions at the base of the powerhouse extension. The. dam consists of five concrete piers joined with steel girders.