The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is calling on major electric power companies to properly secure the inventory of LNG = liquefied natural gas, which is the fuel for thermal power generation, in preparation for the severe supply and demand of electricity this winter.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects that the supply and demand of electricity will become severe this winter as the suspension and abolition of thermal power plants are expected to accelerate.
Regarding this, at a meeting of experts held on the 24th, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that as of September 15, LNG inventories were secured at 1.5 times the level of the same period last year. I made it clear.
On the other hand, he explained that the spot price of LNG, which is traded in a short period of time, has continued to rise since spring and is currently at the highest level in the past five years.
The background is that the demand for LNG is increasing in China instead of coal.
Under these circumstances, the supply and demand of electricity will become even more severe, and trying to procure additional LNG will result in a considerable cost increase. Is calling.