As fuel prices such as natural gas soar, the withdrawal of electric power retailers called "new electric power" is occurring one after another.
From April 1st, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has begun to support small and medium-sized new electric power companies to make it easier to obtain loans.
According to Teikoku Databank, a private credit bureau, the number of bankruptcies of electric power retailers called new electric power was 14 last year, and since the full liberalization of electric power retailing in 2016, the number of cases per year has been It became the most.
Although the business has not gone bankrupt, the number is even higher, including the withdrawal of businesses and the suspension of new contracts.
In light of these circumstances, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has designated electric power retailers, including new electric power companies, as targets of the system to support the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises from the 1st.
Under this system, if it becomes difficult to repay new funds borrowed from a financial institution, the Credit Guarantee Association guarantees 80% of the remaining repayment amount, making it easier to obtain a loan.
This includes companies whose sales in the last three months have dropped by more than 5% from the same period last year.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagiuda said at a meeting after the Cabinet meeting on the 1st, "Electricity is a lifeline that is the basis of people's lives, and we will continue to monitor market trends so as not to interfere with stable supply and protection of consumers. I want to keep an eye on it. "