File 8/9 Annual Report on the State of Bahrain for the year AH 1351 [‎63r] (130/200)

Elec. Supply)
oi electricity), a showroom has been opened on the
sea^ road;, in a central position o posi^e the Eastern
Bank, ana in a thoroughfare which rromises to be
the leading street in the town of Msnamah. New
ofiices have also been opened on the same site,
the premises which are the property of H.B.Shaikh
Hamad, having been rented by the department.
Ice Plant.— The Municiusl ice riant was run very
successfully during the summer of lS51, and at the end
of the run the plant was given a complete overhaul.
The chief components of the ammonia comrressor were
renewed, such as the piston, cylinder, bearings, valves,
etc., this being necessary on account of the age of
the plant, which ms practically worn out. Owing to
the plant having only one compressor, it base to run
continuously for approximately four and half months
during the season. ^ The question of purchasing a
second compressor should be seriously considered for
the season"of 1353.
Consumption.— The revenue from the sale of electri
city would have been much more, but for the fact that
a large number of consumers changed their lamps from
those^supplied, originally, 40 of 60 watts to 5 watts.
These are" German and Japanese lamps obtainable in the
local bazaar, and give just enough light to see by,
provided that one has good eyesight. " They seem how
ever to suit very many of the local consumers, parti
cularly those of the poorer class.
It has been pointed out that if this practice
increases it would call for an increase In the price
of the unit to counteract the loss in revenue.
Transmission losses.— Units lost in transmission
during the year amounted to 18.5^ as compared to
23.4jfauring 1350. This is due to the increased
load and to'the fact that transformers were switched
out whenever possible during the winter.
Fuel & Lubricating oils.— Fuel oil costs per unit
are slightly lower, .25 annas per unit as compared
with .38 in"1350. due to the purchasing price of the
oil bein? slightly lower, and the load slightly more.
Lubricating oil cpst per unit .1 annas as_compared
to .09 annas, is a little higher, due to having to
run the plant on certain days every week during^ ^he
winter months for the benefit of the Imperial Airways.
This necessitates considerable extra starting and
stopping.
Normally the plant is closed down daily between the
hours of 9-30 a.m. and 3-30 p.m. from November.to
April each year, but Imperial.Airways L^d. having
installed a wireless station in L’lanamah in connection
with the landing of their machines, applied.for current
on the day days^ on which a machine arrived.