People take a break under a cooling mist as the Japanese government issues a warning over a possible power crunch due to a heatwave in Tokyo. - Reuters
TOKYO (Bloomberg): Businesses and homes in Tokyo were asked to curb electricity use for a third day as a heatwave is set to reach its zenith for now, driving power margins to razor-thin levels.
The capital’s power-reserve ratios, which measure spare electricity capacity, improved after the country’s grid coordinator ordered regional utilities to supply Tokyo. But the ratio will still be below the 3% level considered the minimum for a stable grid at 5 p.m. local time, according to the grid coordinator.
Scorching temperatures are hitting parts of the northern Kanto region that surrounds the metropolis, with blazing heat in prefectures that fall under Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s coverage putting pressure on the network as cooling demand rises. The temperature in southern Gunma prefecture is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, according to the meteorological agency.
Tokyo is seeing the most severe heatwave for June in records going back to 1875, according to the Japan Weather Association. Temperatures are forecast to peak at 36 Celsius on Thursday, which would be the highest this year, before dipping somewhat later in the two-week forecast period, according to the forecaster.
The city has avoided blackouts for the past two days as residents and industries have responded to calls to curb power consumption, and after the nation’s grid manager ordered other regions to share supply.
Residents may need to get accustomed to hearing constant calls for electricity conservation, as supply is expected to be very tight this summer. Jera Co, the country’s top power producer, has pushed back the restart of one generation unit one day to Thursday on the back of maintenance delays.
