Japan fears power shortage

Tokyo plunged into darkness by energy saving measure, March 17, 2011. REUTERS / Kyodo

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1 min

The government has asked the Japanese to restrict their electricity consumption fearing a strong demand caused by the cold.

The production of thermal power stations is indeed reduced because of the earthquakes of the past week.

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Turning off the lights, lowering the heating, reducing the consumption of electrical appliances: these are the efforts required of the Japanese who find themselves in Tokyo and the surrounding area.

The weather forecast announces a cold spell and several thermal power stations have indeed been shut down since the earthquake of March 16 to 17.

► To read also:

Japan: a violent earthquake hit the Fukushima region

Electricity suppliers may therefore have difficulty in supplying the necessary energy.

The Ministry of Industry has therefore invited the population to reduce their electricity consumption by at least 10 percent compared to their usual level, and not to raise the heating above 20 degrees Celsius.

For the moment, the efforts of the Japanese are not followed by sufficient effects. 

"Power 

outages 

"?

We only manage to save about 1.5 million kilowatts, which is 2 to 3.5 million kilowatts less than the target level

,” warned Koichi Hagiuda, Japanese Minister of Economy.

If this continues, we will unfortunately be approaching a situation where we will have to carry out large-scale power cuts, as we did on the day of the earthquake, in order to avoid a total blackout 

”. 

Such a critical situation in the Tokyo area has not happened again since March 2011.

Power cuts had been introduced after the gigantic tsunami, following a magnitude 9 earthquake, which had paralyzed the Fukushima nuclear power plant and caused

the closure of other nuclear installations across the country

.

(

with AFP

)

► To read also: With only one reactor in service, the Japanese authorities fear a shortage of electricity

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