The electricity supply is expected to face its severest crunch of the past 10 years this winter, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry announced Tuesday.
The ministry cited as reasons the stagnating investment in thermal power plants and a reduction in the number of such power facilities, amid the spread of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power that generate unstable amounts of electricity.
According to the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, Japan, if a harsh winter arrives, the surplus electricity capacity across most of the country will be barely above the 3% threshold for stable power supply. For Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.'s service area, its surplus is expected to fall to 3.1% next February. The estimate for the same month is 3.9% for each of the power companies serving the Chubu, Chugoku, Hokuriku, Kansai, Kyushu and Shikoku regions.
There is a risk that the electricity supply will be under even more pressure if a harsher than expected cold spell hits.
To provide against power shortages, the ministry will introduce by next month a system to solicit electricity. It is envisioned that power transmission companies, which are responsible for securing a stable supply, will purchase electricity from power generation companies and trading companies in emergencies.
This system will apply to thermal power generation using liquefied natural gas or oil, which can easily increase power output when demand surges. The idea is to accumulate about 300 million kilowatt-hours, equivalent to 10 days of electricity consumption nationwide.
Power generation companies will be requested to have thorough security controls and to avoid unexpected power outages, while households and businesses will be asked to cooperate in saving energy this winter.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
