Hit by a cold wave, the Kanto region has fallen into the worst power crisis since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The government and electric power companies need to seriously reflect on their over-optimistic outlook and take countermeasures.
On the evening of March 21, the government issued a warning for the first time regarding the tight supply-demand balance in Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.'s service areas -- comprising Tokyo and other eight prefectures -- due to concern that the balance could become extremely strained on March 22. It sought widespread cooperation from companies, households and others to save electricity. Another warning was also issued to Tohoku Electric Power Co.'s service areas on March 22.
The warning system was set up after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and is put into effect when the surplus of supply over demand for electricity is expected to fall below 3%, according to the government.
