ID :
175701
Fri, 04/15/2011 - 19:19
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https://oananews.org//node/175701
The shortlink copeid
Gov't eyeing relaxation of power-saving goals for summer
TOKYO, April 16 Kyodo - (EDS: RECASTING WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS)
The government is considering relaxing power-saving goals for this summer after Tokyo Electric Power Co. said it will likely be able to increase supply more than its earlier prediction, industry minister Banri Kaieda indicated Friday.
The utility, which operates the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said it is expected to supply up to 52 million kilowatts of electricity by the end of July, revising upward from a previously forecast maximum of 46.5 million kw.
The company, known as TEPCO, also told the government that it will likely be able to increase power supply by at least 5 million kw this summer by using thermal and pumped-storage hydroelectric plants, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.
To fill the supply-demand gap, the government last week released a plan to legally curb the electricity use of large-lot customers by about 25 percent from peak demand hours last summer, and to ask small-lot customers and households to voluntarily reduce their power use by about 20 percent and 15-20 percent, respectively.
With the 5 million kw increase, the utility will meet the target set by the government of preparing at least 50 million kw of supplies for this summer.
Although this is still smaller than last summer's 60 million kw, the government has judged that it is now possible to review the extent of power consumption restrictions on companies and households, believing at least slightly more electricity will be generated in some way or another by the company in line with its projection.
Tokyo and its surrounding areas have faced power shortages since the nuclear complex, located about 220 kilometers from the capital, was crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The government had estimated that there would be a maximum power shortage of 15 million kw in areas serviced by TEPCO if this summer turns out to be as hot as during last year's record heat wave.
Edano welcomed the possible increase, but added that ''the supply-demand-gap has not been filled.''
Therefore, he said the government will continue to call on people to cooperate in saving electricity. He also said the utility must consider additional steps to secure more power.
Edano said he has asked TEPCO to report to the government next week on what kind of additional measures it could take to ease the power crunch.
The government is planning to renew power-saving measures by the end of this month.
The government is considering relaxing power-saving goals for this summer after Tokyo Electric Power Co. said it will likely be able to increase supply more than its earlier prediction, industry minister Banri Kaieda indicated Friday.
The utility, which operates the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said it is expected to supply up to 52 million kilowatts of electricity by the end of July, revising upward from a previously forecast maximum of 46.5 million kw.
The company, known as TEPCO, also told the government that it will likely be able to increase power supply by at least 5 million kw this summer by using thermal and pumped-storage hydroelectric plants, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.
To fill the supply-demand gap, the government last week released a plan to legally curb the electricity use of large-lot customers by about 25 percent from peak demand hours last summer, and to ask small-lot customers and households to voluntarily reduce their power use by about 20 percent and 15-20 percent, respectively.
With the 5 million kw increase, the utility will meet the target set by the government of preparing at least 50 million kw of supplies for this summer.
Although this is still smaller than last summer's 60 million kw, the government has judged that it is now possible to review the extent of power consumption restrictions on companies and households, believing at least slightly more electricity will be generated in some way or another by the company in line with its projection.
Tokyo and its surrounding areas have faced power shortages since the nuclear complex, located about 220 kilometers from the capital, was crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The government had estimated that there would be a maximum power shortage of 15 million kw in areas serviced by TEPCO if this summer turns out to be as hot as during last year's record heat wave.
Edano welcomed the possible increase, but added that ''the supply-demand-gap has not been filled.''
Therefore, he said the government will continue to call on people to cooperate in saving electricity. He also said the utility must consider additional steps to secure more power.
Edano said he has asked TEPCO to report to the government next week on what kind of additional measures it could take to ease the power crunch.
The government is planning to renew power-saving measures by the end of this month.
