Power supply forecast to remain tight for Tokyo this summer

Electricity supply-demand conditions in the Tokyo area are projected to remain tight this summer after power crunch concerns hit resource-poor Japan last year, according to estimates compiled by the government, Report informs referring to Kyodo.

The reserve power supply capacity ratio in the metropolitan area in July could drop to 3 percent, the lowest level for maintaining stable supply, if a once-in-a-decade level of extreme heat grips the region served by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.

Utilities in other areas are expected to see power supply reserves of above 3 percent even if such severe weather conditions prevail, according to estimates released in late March by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The forecast is based on the supply plans of electricity service businesses, compiled at a time when most nuclear power reactors remain offline after the 2011 nuclear disaster and many aged thermal power plants have been shut down.

The reserve capacity rate is projected to improve to 3.9 percent in the Tokyo area in August and stand at 4.6 percent in January 2024 for the region as well as northern parts of Japan including Hokkaido.

Although the reserve rate forecast for last winter fell below 3 percent for the area served by TEPCO, the country avoided a serious power shortage by restarting idle thermal reactors and asking the general public to take power-saving measures.