Power supplies may be sufficient this winter

e reserve margin of electricity is expected to exceed 4% across Japan this winter, surpassing the 3% minimum required for stable electricity supplies, according to a government forecast.

However, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry plans to ask companies and households to cooperate in conserving energy as there is still a possibility of an energy crunch.

For areas served by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. and Tohoku Electric Power Co., the reserve margin is expected to be 4.1% in January and 4.9% in February, based on a scenario in which this winter is the coldest in a decade.

A June forecast for the reserve margin in those areas was at the 1% level.

e reserve margin is expected to be 4.8% in January for areas served by six other companies — Chubu Electric Power Co., Hokuriku Electric Power Co., Kansai Electric Power Co., Chugoku Electric Power Co., Shikoku Electric Power Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co. — up from 1.9% in a June forecast.

Reserve margins are expected to increase because of the planned restart of thermal reactors and other power plants.

However, as the ministry believes the electricity supply-demand conditions are still tight, it will call for companies and consumers to continue energy conservation e orts, following similar calls this summer.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could cause instability in the supply of lique ed natural gas, which is used as a fuel for thermal power generation. (Sept. 17)