WANGANUI GAS SUPPLY AT CRITICAL STAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 May 1947, Page 4

WANGANUI GAS SUPPLY AT CRITICAL STAGE

With daily consumption already ’ running close to maximum produc- ' tion, tne Wanganui gas supply will be ' in a precarious position when cold 1 weather comes. Unprecedented demand for Utts time of the year is ■ keep.ng the works hard pul to maintain the supply without pressure cuts, and any further increase will mean ' that reductions will have to be made, 1 and it seems impossible tiiat the winter can be negotiated without petiods 1 of complete cut-off —even it adequate 1 coal is available tu keep the works at ' peak production. 1 On an average day 630,000 cubic feet of gas is being drawn from the ’ works. Maximum output is 650,000 ' cubic feel; but only when good quality coal is being proecssea and the ; works equipment is functioning ’ smoothly. This output cannot be maintained for very long periods, however. Contributing factor to the higii con- - sumption is the electric power eut- ' oils. Whet, the electricity is cut, businesses with auxiliary gas-powered plants switch over to the gas to provide lighting, heating, anil in some cases powei for machinery, all of which severely drains the supply of Whut the position will be in midwinter , when both electricity and gas cuts are made, is already causing concern in quarters which will be most affected. There appears to be no solution -not until the new gas plant now being built is functioning and until additional electric power generating plants are operating.