The government's request to save electricity in winter will end in 31 days. Although the power supply and demand were not tightened due to efforts to save electricity at households and companies, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided to secure additional power sources, such as restarting thermal power plants that have been idle for this summer.
The government will end the request to save electricity in seven years, which has been made since December last year, in 12 days.
In this request for power saving, we did not set numerical targets and called for cooperation in saving electricity to the extent that it is reasonable, such as wearing layers at home.
During the winter period, the reserve ratio, which indicates the surplus supply capacity, did not fall below the minimum of 7%, which is necessary for stable supply in all regions of Japan, and the situation did not become tight on electricity supply and demand.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, this was due to the fact that households and businesses have made progress in energy-saving efforts amid soaring electricity prices, as well as the restart of thermal power plants that have been suspended.
However, due to the prolonged invasion of Ukraine by Russia, energy prices continue to be unstable, and it is expected that the demand for electricity will increase in the future due to unpredictable heat.
For this reason, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided to secure additional power sources, such as restarting thermal power plants that have been idle for this summer.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura: "Tough outlook for summer, cooperation in saving electricity"
Regarding the end of the winter power conservation request on March 31, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, "The outlook for electricity supply and demand this winter was very severe, but we were able to overcome it with everyone's cooperation.