IEE Power Division: Chairman´s address. Design for living

The loss of the home market has forced the British switchgear, turbine generator and transformer manufacturers to produce new designs to meet specifications differing appreciably from traditional British practice. A new range of switchgear will meet the high performance requirements of the home market and also provide an economic export product for most of the common internationally agreed voltage, current and fault-breaking ratings. Turbine generators are required that are radically different in speed, rating and steam conditions from the standard UK installations. Special pass-out turbines will be required to meet the growing market requirements for combined electrical generation and water desalination projects. Transformer design is inherently flexible, but there is an increasing need for better understanding between purchaser and manufacturer regarding operational requirements and design philosophy. The total UK research effort must be co-ordinated if we are to compete effectively internationally. The private sector should probably pay more attention to the national as compared to individual interest. The public sector industries must aim for productivity levels as good as, and price inflation no worse than, those of corresponding industries in the main competing countries. If this is not achieved further economic decline is inevitable. Engineering and managerial skills are capable of meeting world competition. If political difficulties can be overcome, and the full national effort deployed, the UK can certainly gain its share of the world export market.